Dutch hearts broken as they go down on penalties to Morocco
Press Association Sport staff
Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides drew 1-1 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Morocco edged past the Dutch 3-2 on penalties, Ismael Saibari claiming the decisive goal after multiple missed opportunities and saves on both sides.
The first half was marked by physicality, with momentum swinging freely but neither side able to impact the scoreboard.
Morocco had a strong chance after the break as a deft through ball created a clear run for Achraf Hakimi, but he sent the ball off the crossbar.
After 72 minutes Morocco looked in clear ascendancy, until a Netherlands goal-kick found substitute Wout Weghorst in the middle of the pitch and his flick header released Crysencio Summerville who drew in the last defender and slipped a ball to Cody Gakpo on his left.
The Liverpool star duly finished the job and was immediately overcome with emotion, days after the 27-year-old and his partner Noa van der Bij announced they had experienced a pregnancy loss.
Momentum had shifted again and it looked a certainty Gakpo’s goal would be the decisive one, but a cross in the 90th minute found a charging Issa Diop, whose header found the corner of the goal and ensured the match would go into extra-time.
Morocco looked certain to take the lead in the 97th minute when Soufiane Rahimi’s fancy footwork put him one-on-one with Bart Verbruggen, but the Dutch goalkeeper was somehow able to deflect the shot.
The extra 30 minutes was not enough to separate the sides, Morocco advancing to a clash with co-hosts Canada after the shootout.
Speaking after the match, Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui said: “A really tough game against a really tough opponent. One of the best opponents you can face in the world. It’s a top 10 of the world, I think a contender to win eventually the World Cup.
“The way that we managed to win today is a huge acknowledgement for us as a national team, of course.”
