Morocco Beat Netherlands on Penalties to Reach FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Morocco secured a dramatic place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Monday.
Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty to seal Morocco’s victory after a tense contest at Monterrey Stadium.
The Netherlands took the lead in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo finished from close range following a well-worked move involving Wout Weghorst and Crysencio Summerville.
Morocco continued to press for an equalizer and was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Issa Diop headed home in the 91st minute from a pinpoint delivery by Chemsdine Talbi, scoring his first international goal to force extra time.
The North African side created the better opportunities during the additional 30 minutes, with Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen producing an excellent reflex save to deny Soufiane Rahimi. At the other end, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was rarely tested as the match proceeded to penalties.
In the shootout, the Netherlands missed three spot-kicks through Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Summerville, while Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi also failed to convert.
Saibari calmly dispatched Morocco’s fifth penalty, sending Verbruggen the wrong way to secure a 3-2 shootout triumph and book his nation’s place in the Round of 16.
Morocco will next face tournament co-host Canada in Houston on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals.
