Morocco Eliminates Netherlands In Shootout Thriller To Set Up Canada Clash In World Cup Round Of 16

Morocco earned a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after edging past the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday.

The two sides finished level at 1-1 after regular and extra time, forcing penalties, where the Atlas Lions kept their composure to secure qualification.

The Dutch took the lead in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo finished a well-worked move.

Crysencio Summerville burst down the flank before delivering a precise pass across the goalmouth for Gakpo to convert.

The goal lifted Gakpo to six World Cup goals, placing him alongside the Netherlands’ second-highest scorers in the tournament’s history. Only Johnny Rep, with seven goals, has scored more for the Dutch at the World Cup.

Morocco rescued the match in stoppage time through an unlikely source. Defender Issa Diop surged into the penalty area and headed home Chemsdine Talbi’s inviting cross in the 91st minute to restore parity.

Neither team managed to break the deadlock during extra time despite several promising attacks, leaving the outcome to be settled from the penalty spot.

The shootout remained finely balanced as both teams squandered opportunities during the opening rounds.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved decisive by saving Crysencio Summerville’s sudden-death penalty before Ismael Saibari confidently dispatched the winning spot-kick to send Morocco through.

Morocco will now meet co-hosts Canada in Houston on 5 July for a place in the quarter-finals.

The victory extends the Atlas Lions’ impressive World Cup campaign and underlines their ability to perform under pressure against one of Europe’s traditional football powers.

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