The Round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup in Monterrey ended the way it often does for the Netherlands at the later stages of a tournament: with a penalty shootout loss. After a 1:1 draw in regular and extra time, Morocco won 3:2 from the spot and advanced to the Round of 16.
How it unfolded
The Netherlands opened the scoring in the 72nd minute: Cody Gakpo finished off Summerville's pass and put his team ahead. It seemed the "orange" had control of the situation — until injury time. In the 90+1st minute, Ilias Diop equalized after an assist from Shams Talbi and sent the match to extra time.
In the additional period, neither side scored — and the shootout decided it. Morocco started with a miss: Neil El-Eynawi hit the crossbar. The Netherlands had the advantage but failed to capitalize on it.
Bunou stopped the Netherlands' fourth attempt from Criscito Summerville — and after that, Saibari left the goalkeeper no chance.
According to Opta Analyst
Ismail Saibari — a player already being called Morocco's best on this tournament — placed the ball in the bottom left corner and sent his team to the next round.
Context: Dutch tradition
For the Netherlands, this is already the third penalty shootout loss at consecutive World Cups: 2014 — Argentina in the semifinal, 2022 — Argentina again in the quarterfinal, 2026 — Morocco in the Round of 32. Every time — late, every time — painful.
Morocco, in turn, confirms its status as a team capable of eliminating top national sides. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they reached the semifinal, knocking out Spain and Portugal. Now — another knockout round, Europe left behind once again.
What's next
In the Round of 16, Morocco will face Canada — one of the three tournament hosts. The match will take place on July 5 in Houston. Canada advanced past South Africa and plays in front of their home crowd — a factor that has already proven its weight at this World Cup.
The specific question is: will Morocco have enough energy after the exhausting extra time and nerve-wracking penalty shootout — if Canada sets a high pace from the opening minutes in Houston?
