Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw before extra time.
A stoppage-time equaliser from Issa Diop rescued the Atlas Lions before goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou starred in the shootout to send Morocco through to a last-eight clash with co-hosts, Canada.
Morocco began dominating the game as soon as it commenced. Having 70% ball possession, leaving the Netherlands with just 30% possession across the full 120 minutes of play. The Netherlands executed a low-block defensive strategy designed to sit deep, absorb heavy pressure, and hit Morocco purely on the counterattack.
The Netherlands scored first in the 72nd minute when Dutch star, Cody Gakpo scored with an assist from Crysencio Summerville, who drove forward through a heavy challenge from Morocco’s midfield. Summerville created enough chaos to thread a precise pass toward the edge of the penalty box. Gakpo anticipated the pass perfectly, sprinting to win the race to the ball at the top of the box before taking a swift touch, before slotting a low finish under Morocco’s keeper.
Morocco scored an equalizer at stoppage time to make it 1-1, through Issa Diop. By receiving an assist from Chemsdine Talbi, who sent a high cross into the box, where defender Issa Diop escaped his marker to score a brilliant, glancing header past Bart Verbruggen.
Despite several close chances and heavy physical battles from both sides, neither team was able to score in the thirty minutes of extra time. The single closest opportunity arrived when Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, pulled off a phenomenal, point-blank reflex save to deny a dangerous shot from Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi, leaving the match at a 1-1 deadlock that forced a dramatic penalty shootout.
Morocco won the dramatic penalty shootout 3-2. The Netherlands converted just two of their penalties, with Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville all failing to beat Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Seizing the opportunity, Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi and Chemsdine Talbi converted their spot-kicks before Ismael Saibari stepped up to coolly smash home the decisive winning penalty.
Morocco’s historic tournament run continues as they advance to face co-hosts Canada in Houston this Saturday.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
Follow us on:
