Morocco Advances Past Netherlands on Penalties in World Cup Round of 32

Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in a World Cup round of 32 match on Monday at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico. Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute on an assist from Crysencio Summerville.

Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in the 91st minute with a header from a cross by Chemsdine Talbi launched from about 28 yards on the left side.

The score stayed level through 30 minutes of extra time. In the shootout, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Summerville's attempt with his left hand. Bart Verbruggen deflected Soufiane Rahimi's kick over the line with the back of his leg.

Ismael Saibari then scored the winner into the low left corner. Three Dutch players missed their penalties, including Justin Kluivert, who entered as a substitute in the second half of extra time. "We know when we do everything on the pitch, it's God that gives something back to us as well," Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said.

"We give all the energy that we have on the field. " Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said he brought on Kluivert specifically for his penalty expertise. "But he missed his penalty and that's even more bitter for him and for us," Koeman said.

Morocco, ranked sixth in the world, advanced to face Canada in the round of 16 on Saturday in Houston. The Netherlands, ranked seventh, suffered its earliest World Cup exit after reaching at least the round of 16 in its previous 11 appearances, including the quarterfinals in 2022. It was the third consecutive World Cup in which the Netherlands was eliminated on penalties.

Paraguay also advanced via penalties earlier Monday after beating Germany.