Morocco has advanced to the last 16 after a nearly three-hour match that culminated in a chaotic penalty shootout, setting up a clash with Canada. Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty after both teams endured a series of missed opportunities. It was perhaps poetic that, following each team’s two missed penalties, Yassine Bounou made a crucial save against Crysencio Summerville, reminiscent of his key saves in the victory over Spain at the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco’s performance deserved the win against a subdued Netherlands, especially as they only forced extra time through a header from centre-back Issa Diop. One can only speculate how Cody Gakpo, who played despite the heartbreaking news of losing his unborn son, coped with the emotional rollercoaster. After what seemed to be the winning goal in the 72nd minute, Gakpo was visibly moved, shedding tears and looking skyward, comforted by teammate Denzel Dumfries. Football’s harsh realities often pale in comparison to life’s deeper struggles.
Prior to the match, it was clear that one of the two teams, both positioned as underdogs compared to the tournament favorites, would exit prematurely. Many had anticipated a high-scoring affair given the attacking flair both exhibited during the group stages, but knockout matches often take on a different dynamic.
Ronald Koeman aimed to transform his squad into a more cohesive unit, emphasizing compactness and denying space to opponents known for their attacking prowess. He strayed from the traditional 4-3-3 formation, opting instead for three centre-backs and leaving out midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. This strategy initially led Morocco to attempt long balls that did not yield significant results.
However, the majority of fans in attendance, surrounded by the striking Cerro de la Silla, remained optimistic. The crowd, a mix of green Mexican jerseys amidst orange and red, had chosen their side. They recalled the painful memory of their national team’s defeat to the Netherlands in the 2014 last 16, where a controversial penalty awarded for a late fall by Arjen Robben proved decisive. Signs in the stands echoed their sentiments.
“No, it wasn’t a penalty and you know it!”
and every early touch from Dutch players met with boos.
After a cautious start, the match sprung to life after 20 minutes. Bart Verbruggen showcased his skills with two spectacular saves, first denying Neil El Aynaoui’s near-post header and then parrying a powerful shot from Achraf Hakimi. With kickoff temperatures soaring to 31C, cooled by brisk winds, Morocco appeared poised to take control.
From the outset, tension simmered, exemplified by Jan Paul van Hecke’s frustration with Saibari after feeling a kick to the face. Following Verbruggen’s heroics, Van Hecke found himself in the thick of it again, this time clashing with Azzedine Ounahi. The escalating tension highlighted the significance of the match and the underlying rivalry; over 430,000 individuals of Moroccan descent reside in the Netherlands, and three Dutch-born players, including left-back Noussair Mazraoui, were part of Morocco’s squad, reflecting the complex ties between the nations.
By the 38th minute, Van Hecke was down yet again, bloodied after a collision with Mazraoui. Though he received treatment, the match’s sporadic nature persisted. Before halftime, Bounou was finally tested when Micky van de Ven unleashed a powerful shot, which Bounou expertly tipped over. Ounahi then shot high after Van Hecke disrupted a swift counter, and a free-kick from Hakimi narrowly missed Saibari, giving the match a tense, back-and-forth feel.
Morocco aimed to shift the momentum in their favor after the break, with 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi shooting over and Hakimi striking the bar following a clever run. Hakimi may have been offside, but his timing was impeccable during a 55th-minute break, thwarted only by a crunching tackle from Van de Ven.
With Gakpo and Summerville struggling to make an impact on the flanks, Brian Brobbey, a standout from the earlier rounds, found himself largely sidelined. Meanwhile, Morocco consistently posed threats, with Verbruggen having to parry several whipped corners from Hakimi.
Midway through the second half, the match slowed down considerably. Upon resuming, the Netherlands, having struggled throughout, found a breakthrough courtesy of an old-school approach. Wout Weghorst, newly introduced, flicked on a Verbruggen goal kick, setting Summerville racing through. Though he fell under pressure from two defenders, he managed to pass the ball to Gakpo, who finished emphatically, sparking wild celebrations among his teammates.
Yet Morocco wasn’t willing to accept defeat. Although they appeared to be losing steam, Diop’s equalizer—a powerful header from a superb cross by Chemsdine Talbi—was well deserved. The match, which seemed destined for extra time, took a dramatic turn.
The additional period began with Morocco reasserting their dominance. Verbruggen delivered the performance of the night, somehow denying Soufiane Rahimi with an incredible save involving both his knee and hand, but that was the only significant moment in a cautious extra time. Saibari was left to finish the match with a penalty.
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