Morocco Eliminates Netherlands on Penalty Kicks, Match Stats, Highlights & World Cup 2026 Bracket

Morocco is moving on to the Round of 16 after surviving a thriller against the Netherlands on Monday.

Morocco won the match in penalties to get one step closer to the semifinals, where its World Cup run ended in 2022.

Though things were close throughout, Morocco dominated possession 70-30 and had 1.40 expected goals to the Netherlands' 0.23, per ESPN. Morocco also had five shots on goal, while the Dutch had two.

What kept the Netherlands in the match was its outstanding work in goal, as it had five saves to Morocco's one.

Neither team found the back of the net in the first half, but that had more to do with the outstanding work from both goalkeepers than it did with a lack of opportunities.

Morocco had an outstanding chance to score late in the first half, but Ismael Saibari's shot from close range missed.

Morocco again found itself with a golden opportunity early in the second half, but Achraf Hakimi's shot wasn't meant to be as it hit the crossbar.

The Netherlands' Bart Verbruggen continued his efforts in goal in the second half, making an impossible save to keep the game scoreless.

After 70 minutes without a goal, the Dutch struck first when Cody Gakpo capitalized on a counterattack, finding the net off an assist from Crysencio Summerville.

Just when it appeared that Gakpo's goal would be the decider, Morocco answered in the nick of time. Issa Diop scored a header in the first minute of stoppage time after a beautiful cross from Chemsdine Talbi.

The Netherlands couldn't answer Talbi's goal in stoppage time, so things went into extra time.

Soufiane Rahimi was inches away from giving Morocco the lead, but a tremendous save from Verbruggen prevented the goal. Neither team managed to score in extra time, setting up an exciting penalty shootout.

Saibari delivered as the hero for Morocco, hitting the final penalty kick to win it for his country.

Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday.