Ismael Saibari’s final kick turned Morocco’s pressure into punishment for the Netherlands, sending the North Africans through 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 World Cup Round of 32 draw in Monterrey.
The Netherlands had led through Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header forced extra time before Morocco survived a chaotic shootout and booked a Round of 16 meeting with Canada on 4 July at 19:00.
Verbruggen keeps Netherlands alive under Moroccan pressure
Morocco made the match feel like theirs long before the score moved. They finished with 70% possession, 11 shots to 6, 5 on target to 2 and 8 corners to 5, figures that matched the rhythm of a night spent largely around the Dutch defensive third.
Bart Verbruggen was the reason the Netherlands reached the interval at 0-0. In the 20th minute he denied Ayyoub Bouaddi’s header from a corner and then stopped Achraf Hakimi’s strike from the edge of the area, before Bono later saved Micky van de Ven’s effort from 18 metres.
Gakpo fires Netherlands ahead before Diop answers
Morocco’s clearest warning came in the 52nd minute, when Azzedine Ounahi released Hakimi and the full-back smashed the ball against the bar from a tight angle. Then, against the run of play, the Netherlands struck.
Wout Weghorst, just on, headed the ball down for Crysencio Summerville, who found Gakpo while falling. Gakpo finished precisely and celebrated in tears, two days after he and his partner announced they had lost their son during pregnancy.
Morocco’s equaliser arrived in the first minute of stoppage time. Oussama Talbi crossed from the left and Diop rose in front of Virgil van Dijk to head in the 1-1 that sent the game beyond normal time.
Saibari decides shootout as Morocco advance
Verbruggen produced one more extraordinary save in the 96th minute, spreading himself to deny Saibari from two metres. Morocco still controlled the ball through extra time, but the decision came from the spot.
Teun Koopmeiners and Weghorst scored for the Netherlands, but Justin Kluivert hit the post, Q. Timber missed the target and Bono stopped Summerville. Morocco survived misses by Neil El Aynaoui and Hakimi before Rahimi, Talbi and finally Saibari converted for 3-2.
The Netherlands, who entered as group leaders on 7 points, are out despite extending their unbeaten run in World Cup regulation time. Morocco, second on 7 points before this tie, move on to face Canada.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Round of 32. Date & Time: Tuesday 30 June 2026, 03:00 CET. Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey. Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio, Brazil.
