Morocco Stun Netherlands On Penalties To Reach World Cup Last 16

Morocco Stun Netherlands On Penalties To Reach World Cup Last 16

By Admin 

Morocco produced a spirited comeback to defeat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in Monterrey, booking their place in the FIFA World Cup last 16 and underlining their credentials as genuine title contenders, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Atlas Lions dominated much of the contest but found Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in inspired form. Just when it appeared the Netherlands had secured victory through Cody Gakpo's emotional second-half strike, Issa Diop rescued Morocco deep into stoppage time with a powerful header to force extra time.

The match was ultimately decided from the penalty spot, where the Netherlands missed three attempts, allowing Ismail Saibari to calmly convert the decisive kick and set up a last-16 clash against Canada in Houston on Saturday.

Liverpool forward Gakpo, who revealed on Saturday that he and his family had suffered the loss of their unborn son, chose to remain with the Dutch squad. He started the match as head coach Ronald Koeman deployed a back-five formation for the first time in 32 games.

The opening exchanges were fiercely contested, with physical battles across the pitch. Morocco gradually gained control and came close to taking the lead in the 20th minute when Neil El Aynaoui flicked on Achraf Hakimi's corner, only for Verbruggen to produce a superb point-blank save. The Brighton goalkeeper was called into action again moments later to deny Hakimi's powerful long-range effort.

The Netherlands struggled to create clear opportunities in the opening half. Their first attempt on goal arrived after 37 minutes when Micky van de Ven tested Yassine Bounou from distance, while Hakimi almost found Ismail Saibari with a dangerous free-kick shortly before the break.

Morocco continued to threaten after the restart. Hakimi struck the crossbar from a tight angle after being played through by Azzedine Ounahi, while Van de Ven produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny the Moroccan captain inside the penalty area.

Despite Morocco's dominance, the Netherlands struck against the run of play in the 72nd minute. Just 51 seconds after replacing Brian Brobbey, Wout Weghorst flicked on a long ball from Verbruggen into the path of Crysencio Summerville, who surged into the box before squaring for Gakpo to fire past Bounou. The goal sparked emotional celebrations as Gakpo was embraced by his teammates.

Morocco refused to surrender and finally found the breakthrough in the opening moments of stoppage time. Chemsdine Taldi delivered a curling cross from the left and Diop rose highest to power a header beyond Verbruggen, sending the contest into extra time.

The Netherlands nearly snatched victory in the dying moments of regulation, but Noussair Mazraoui made a vital recovery tackle to deny Summerville a clear scoring opportunity.

Extra time produced further drama, with Verbruggen making one of the saves of the tournament to keep out Soufiane Rahimi after the substitute carved his way through the Dutch defence. Neither side could find a winner, sending the tie to penalties.

Teun Koopmeiners converted the opening kick for the Netherlands before El Aynaoui struck the crossbar. Justin Kluivert then hit the post, while Rahimi's effort squeezed past Verbruggen to level the shootout.

Although Weghorst restored the Dutch advantage and Taldi responded for Morocco, Quinten Timber fired wide to hand Morocco the initiative. Hakimi failed to capitalise, striking the same upright Kluivert had hit earlier.

The decisive moment came when Bounou produced a fine save to deny Summerville, leaving Saibari with the opportunity to win the contest. The PSV midfielder confidently sent Verbruggen the wrong way, finding the bottom corner to seal Morocco's place in the knockout stage and leave the Netherlands heartbroken.