Morocco win shootout to send Netherlands home from World Cup
Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Monday night after the match ended 1-1, advancing to the round of 16. Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty, sending last year’s semifinalists into the next round while ending Ronald Koeman and the Dutch team’s journey at the earliest stage of the men’s World Cup in their history.
With the shootout tied at 2-2 after four rounds, Morocco’s goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, made a crucial save against Crysencio Summerville’s penalty, batting the ball away with his left hand. Saibari then converted the winning penalty, placing it in the lower left corner while Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dove the other way.
Morocco will now face Canada in the round of 16 on Saturday in Houston. Cody Gakpo scored for the Dutch in the 72nd minute, assisted by Summerville, prompting the Dutch bench to rush onto the field to celebrate with Gakpo, who was visibly emotional after the goal. Recently, Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced that their unborn child had died.
Morocco equalized in the 91st minute when Issa Diop headed in a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi. They nearly took the lead in the 97th minute of extra time, but Soufiane Rahimi’s impressive footwork led to a one-on-one situation with Verbruggen, who remarkably deflected the shot.
