Netherlands exit World Cup after penalty shootout loss to Morocco

By Brian Otieno — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

Morocco advances after penalty shootout

Morocco secured a spot in the World Cup last 16 after defeating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match, held in Monterrey, Mexico, ended in a 1-1 draw before Morocco triumphed 3-2 on penalties. This victory sets up a last-16 clash for Morocco with Canada.

The Netherlands initially took the lead in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo scored following a break from Crysencio Summerville. Gakpo’s goal led to emotional celebrations, as he had recently announced the loss of his unborn son with his partner, Noa van der Bij. However, Morocco equalised in the 90th minute with a header from Issa Diop, sending the game into extra time.

During extra time, Morocco created a significant opportunity when Soufiane Rahimi was one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Verbruggen made a crucial save, deflecting the shot from close range. Despite this, Verbruggen could not replicate his heroics in the penalty shootout, where Morocco ultimately prevailed.

Koeman’s tactics under scrutiny

The Netherlands’ head coach, Ronald Koeman, is facing questions regarding his tactical decisions. The team had shown strong form in the group stages, scoring 10 goals, including a 5-1 victory over Sweden. However, against Morocco, Koeman opted for a five-man backline, which reportedly led to his side surrendering possession as Morocco dominated the game.

This tactical shift, intended to keep things tight, resulted in a cautious display where the Netherlands allowed Morocco to have 70% of possession. Koeman’s setup and defensive changes are being highlighted as factors that contributed to the team’s exit. The negative approach is seen by some as having backfired, prolonging the Netherlands’ wait for World Cup glory.

Koeman was asked about his future in the role following the team’s elimination. He indicated that he would address the matter later, stating it was not the appropriate moment to discuss it immediately after the match. His comments suggest that his position will be reviewed in the coming days.

Dramatic penalty shootout decides outcome

The penalty shootout was marked by several missed opportunities from both sides. Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, saved Summerville’s penalty, and Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal for Morocco. The Netherlands missed three penalties, while Morocco missed two, leading to the 3-2 victory for the African side.

One notable moment in the shootout involved Rahimi’s penalty, which Verbruggen initially appeared to save, only for the ball to squirm into the net off his trailing heel. Quintin Timber also dragged a shot wide, and Achraf Hakimi hit the post. The outcome means the Netherlands became the second European team to be eliminated on penalties within hours, following Germany’s defeat to Paraguay.

Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui acknowledged the difficulty of the match, describing the Netherlands as a tough opponent and a top-10 team globally. He expressed that the victory was a significant recognition for the Moroccan national team. The win for Morocco sets up their next fixture against Canada on Saturday.

The match was described as a spiky and tetchy affair, with local supporters joining Morocco’s contingent in booing every Dutch touch early on. This added to the tension of the encounter between the two well-matched teams. The final result saw Morocco progress to face Canada.

Source: skysports.com