MONTERREY, Mexico – Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties.
Ismael Saibari converted the winning spot kick for Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, after a gripping shoot-out in which both sides struck the upright.
The match had ended 1-1 after extra time, with Cody Gakpo opening the scoring for the Dutch in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop equalised for the African champions in injury time.
Gakpo, the Liverpool forward, finished a sweeping break from Crysencio Summerville to put the Netherlands into a 72nd-minute lead, bursting into tears after he netted the goal.
He and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy last week.
Morocco snatched a desperate last-gasp equaliser when Diop headed home one minute into stoppage time, forcing the match to extra time.
Morocco had a myriad of chances in the last-32 meeting, with Achraf Hakimi striking the crossbar early in the second half.
Morocco take on co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 4. REUTERS
