Morocco oust Netherlands on penalties to reach World Cup last 16
Yassine Bounou’s shootout save and Ismael Saibari’s final kick sent Morocco past the Netherlands after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Morocco reached the FIFA World Cup last 16 by beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in Monterrey, AFP reported. The result keeps Morocco in the tournament and sets up a meeting with Canada in Houston on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the decisive intervention in the shootout, stopping the Netherlands’ fourth attempt from Crysencio Summerville, according to AFP. Ismael Saibari then converted Morocco’s final penalty to finish the contest.
The match had been close to ending in Dutch victory before Issa Diop scored for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time, AFP reported. Diop was left free to head in a cross from substitute Chemsdine Talbi, forcing extra time after Cody Gakpo had put the Netherlands ahead in the second half.
AFP reported that Gakpo, the Liverpool forward, was playing days after his partner confirmed the death of the couple’s unborn son. After scoring, he dropped to the pitch and was surrounded by teammates in a long embrace.
Morocco had the stronger early openings, according to AFP. Neil El Aynaoui met an Achraf Hakimi corner in the 20th minute, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen reacted quickly to keep it out.
Verbruggen was called on again soon after, tipping Hakimi’s hard shot over the bar. The Dutch had long spells on the ball but struggled to turn possession into clear chances, AFP reported.
The first half also brought several heavy challenges. AFP reported that Saibari escaped punishment after catching Jan Paul van Hecke with an elbow, while Van Hecke later cut his head in a penalty-area collision and then brought down El Aynaoui with a firm tackle before halftime.
The Netherlands’ best chance before the break came in the 44th minute, according to AFP, when Micky van de Ven shot from the edge of the area and Bounou pushed the effort over the bar. At the other end, Saibari nearly reached a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal shortly before halftime.
Ronald Koeman’s substitutions after the hydration break changed the Dutch attack, AFP reported. Wout Weghorst came on and quickly helped create the opener, flicking on a long ball for Summerville, who crossed for Gakpo to finish.
With Virgil van Dijk helping organize the Netherlands at the back, AFP reported, the Dutch looked set to protect their lead. Morocco instead forced extra time through Diop’s late header.
Morocco nearly went ahead in the 96th minute when Soufiane Rahimi broke through on goal, but Verbruggen denied him with another major save, according to AFP. The Netherlands survived extra time and took the match to penalties.
Morocco missed first in the shootout when El Aynaoui hit the bar, AFP reported. Bounou’s later save from Summerville turned the contest, and Saibari’s successful kick sent Morocco through while eliminating the Netherlands.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.