Morocco, which wrote a miracle by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, has secured a spot in the round of 16 at the North American World Cup, defeating the "Orange Army" Netherlands in a penalty shootout.
Morocco won 3-2 on penalties after failing to break a 1-1 deadlock over 120 minutes, including extra time, against the Netherlands in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, held at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 30 (Korean time).
With this result, Morocco will face co-host Canada on July 5 in Houston, U.S., for a place in the quarterfinals. The Netherlands, meanwhile, packed their bags at the round of 32, failing to extend their record of reaching at least the round of 16 in their previous eight World Cup finals appearances.
Both teams finished the first half 0-0. The Netherlands broke the tense balance first in the 27th minute of the second half. Wout Weghorst headed down a long ball from the goalkeeper to Crysencio Summerville, who broke between defenders and connected a pass to Cody Gakpo even as he was falling. Gakpo finished it with a powerful shot for the opening goal.
Pushed to the brink of defeat, Morocco scored a dramatic equalizer in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Morocco center-back Issa Diop scored with a precise header off a cross from the left flank by Chemsdine Talbi, bringing the match back to square one. Both teams sought a winning goal during the ensuing 30 minutes of extra time but ultimately failed to find the net.
In the penalty shootout, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou became the hero. With the score tied 2-2 through four rounds, Bounou turned the tide by stopping Summerville's shot with his left hand. Morocco's kicker Ismael Saibari then drove the winning goal into the bottom left of the net, confirming their advance to the round of 16.
