Morocco Reaches Round of 16 with Shootout Win Over Netherlands
Morocco advanced to the World Cup round of 16 on Monday, defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw that went to extra time in Monterrey. The victory, which came after a dramatic finish, sets up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Canada in Houston on Saturday.
Ismael Saibari converted the winning penalty after Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's attempt, according to multiple outlets. The shootout saw several missed attempts from both sides: Morocco's Neil El Aynaoui and Dutch substitute Justin Kluivert missed, while Bart Verbruggen appeared to save Soufiane Rahimi's effort before the ball slipped under him. Quinten Timber put his shot wide, Achraf Hakimi struck the post, and Saibari kept his nerve to seal the win, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Africa News.
The match itself was tightly contested. Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time, heading in a cross from substitute Chemsdine Talbi. Neither team could find a winner in extra time, as both Africa News and Dawn reported.
Gakpo's goal was an emotional moment: playing days after he and his partner lost their unborn son, he broke down in tears as teammates embraced him, as described by both Al Jazeera and France 24 — English.
Morocco had created the better chances before the break, with Verbruggen making several outstanding saves to deny Ayoub Bouaddi and El Aynaoui. At the other end, Bounou parried Micky van de Ven's long-range strike. Hakimi hit the crossbar and forced another save from Verbruggen, according to Al Jazeera's full match report.
The Netherlands' exit marks the third consecutive World Cup in which they were eliminated on penalties, as noted by France 24 — English in its video coverage.
Other Round of 32 Results
Paraguay caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by knocking out Germany on penalties. Paraguay won the shootout 4-3 after a 1-1 draw, with José Canale scoring the winning sudden-death penalty and Orlando Gill making two key saves. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah were all unsuccessful from the spot for Germany, according to AllAfrica and Africa News.
Brazil also secured their place in the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Japan, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a stoppage-time winner. Japan had taken the lead through Kaishu Sano before Casimiro equalized early in the second half, as reported by AllAfrica.
Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, and Morocco have all advanced to the round of 16, per Al Jazeera.
Key Claims
- Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, as reported by Al Jazeera, Africa News, AllAfrica, Dawn, and France 24 — English.
- Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty for Morocco, a claim carried by Al Jazeera and Africa News.
- Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's penalty in the shootout, according to Al Jazeera and Africa News.
- Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute, as reported by Dawn and France 24 — English.
- Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in stoppage time, a claim carried by Dawn and France 24 — English.
- Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties, as reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
- Brazil beat Japan 2-1, according to AllAfrica.
- Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, and Morocco have advanced to the round of 16, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Upcoming Matches
Al Jazeera also previewed Tuesday's fixtures, noting that France, Norway, and co-hosts Mexico will try to avoid becoming the next big casualty. Ivory Coast face Norway, France meet Sweden, and Mexico take on Ecuador, with all three matches determining the remaining round of 16 spots. Al Jazeera's analysis highlighted that Norway are the clear favorites against Ivory Coast, based on Opta simulations, while France's match with Sweden was expected to be tightly contested.