Morocco secure dramatic shootout win
Morocco have advanced to the World Cup last 16 after defeating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match, held in Monterrey, Mexico, ended 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco ultimately triumphing 3-2 on penalties. This victory sets up a last-16 clash for Morocco with Canada.
The decisive moment in the shootout came when Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty. This followed a save by Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, who repelled Crysencio Summerville’s fifth penalty for the Netherlands. Both teams experienced missed opportunities and saves during the tense shootout.
The match itself saw the Netherlands take the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo. His goal came after a superb break initiated by Summerville. The moment was highly emotional for Gakpo, who was seen wiping away tears and pointing to the sky, comforted by teammate Denzel Dumfries. This emotional reaction followed the announcement that Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, had tragically lost their unborn son.
Despite Gakpo’s goal, Morocco found an equaliser in the 90th minute. Substitute Chemsdine Talbi delivered a cross that Issa Diop headed in at the back post, sending the tie into extra time. Diop’s dramatic equaliser ensured Morocco received what they merited from their performance.
Tactical decisions and key moments
The Netherlands’ head coach, Ronald Koeman, faced scrutiny for his tactical approach in the match. Koeman opted to jettison the standard 4-3-3 formation and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, instead deploying a five-man back line. This defensive setup, intended to keep things tight, resulted in a cautious display where the Netherlands surrendered significant possession, allowing Morocco to dominate with 70% of the ball.
Koeman’s side had shown strong attacking form in the group stages, scoring seven times against Sweden and Japan, and adding three more against Tunisia. However, the switch in tactics against Morocco led to a scratchy performance, with the Netherlands not posing a threat until shortly before half-time when Micky van de Ven’s shot was tipped over by Bounou.
Morocco maintained control for much of the second half. A key moment occurred during a FIFA hydration break, which allowed the Netherlands to introduce Wout Weghorst for Brian Brobbey. Shortly after, Weghorst flicked on a clearance from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, leading to Summerville setting up Gakpo for his goal.
In extra time, Verbruggen made a crucial save, denying Soufiane Rahimi from point-blank range in what was described as the save of the tournament. However, Verbruggen could not replicate these heroics in the shootout. During the penalties, Verbruggen appeared to save Rahimi’s penalty, only for the ball to squirm in off his trailing heel, a moment Koeman later highlighted as a sliding-doors instance. Quinten Timber also dragged his penalty wide, and Achraf Hakimi hit the post, contributing to the Netherlands’ three missed penalties.
Aftermath and future prospects
The defeat means the Netherlands failed to reach the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time since 2006, leading to questions about Koeman’s future. When asked about his position, Koeman stated that it was not the right moment to discuss it, but that he had thoughts on the matter.
Morocco’s defender, Noussair Mazraoui, acknowledged the difficulty of the match against a strong opponent, describing the Netherlands as a top-10 team and a potential World Cup contender. He viewed their victory as a significant acknowledgment for the national team. Morocco will now prepare for their last-16 match against co-hosts Canada on Saturday.
The match was described as a spiky and tetchy affair from the outset, with deep-set ties between the countries adding to the tension. Jan Paul van Hecke was involved in several challenges, sustaining a bleeding head during the opening period. Local supporters in the stands also contributed to the atmosphere, reminding the Netherlands of a past event from 12 years ago to the day, when they beat Mexico in the last 16 with a late penalty.
Morocco’s victory marks a bleak day for European football powers, opening the door for African teams to progress further in the tournament. The team will now look ahead to their next challenge against Canada in the last 16.
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Source: theguardian.com
