Morocco reached the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Monterrey.
Ismail Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick after the Dutch missed three penalties, sending Morocco through to a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.
The North Africans forced extra time with a stoppage-time equaliser from Issa Diop after Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo had looked to have secured victory for the Netherlands.
Morocco hold nerve in shootout
Neither side could find a winner during extra time despite several chances.
Verbruggen made an outstanding save to stop Soufiane Rahimi early in the additional period, while Morocco’s defence continued to frustrate the Dutch attack.
The match was eventually decided on penalties.
Teun Koopmeiners converted the Netherlands’ opening kick before Neil El Aynaoui struck the crossbar for Morocco.
Justin Kluivert then hit the post, allowing Soufiane Rahimi to level the shootout after his effort slipped through Verbruggen’s hands.
Weghorst restored the Dutch advantage, but Talbi responded. Quinten Timber dragged his penalty wide before Achraf Hakimi missed the chance to put Morocco ahead when he struck the post.
Crysencio Summerville’s penalty was then saved by Yassine Bounou, leaving Saibari to convert the winning kick and send Morocco into the knockout stage.
Morocco dominate before Dutch breakthrough
Morocco looked the more threatening side throughout the match.
Achraf Hakimi, making his 100th international appearance, was heavily involved in attack. Verbruggen denied Neil El Aynaoui’s close-range header before producing another save to keep out Hakimi’s powerful strike.
Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz created the Netherlands’ equaliser with a cross that Kai Havertz glanced home in the second half after Morocco had earlier taken the lead through Julio Enciso’s header.
Hakimi also struck the crossbar after connecting with Azzedine Ounahi’s through ball, while Micky van de Ven made a crucial defensive intervention to stop the Morocco captain from shooting inside the penalty area.
Late drama sends game to penalties
Morocco controlled large periods of the contest but were repeatedly denied by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and the woodwork.
The breakthrough eventually came for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute, as just seconds after coach Ronald Koeman switched back to a four-man defence by introducing Wout Weghorst, the substitute flicked on a long ball from Verbruggen into the path of Crysencio Summerville, who squared for Gakpo to score.
Gakpo had announced the loss of his unborn son on Saturday but chose to remain with the Dutch squad and started the match.
Morocco continued to press and found an equaliser in the opening moments of stoppage time when Issa Diop powered home a header from Chemsdine Talbi’s cross.
The Netherlands nearly restored their lead before the end of normal time, but Noussair Mazraoui produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Summerville.
Dutch World Cup frustration continues
The defeat extends the Netherlands’ wait for a first World Cup title despite reaching the finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
For Morocco, the victory continues the country’s impressive World Cup progress following their historic semi-final appearance in 2022 and sets up a last-16 meeting with Canada.
