Morocco Stun Netherlands on Penalties to Reach World Cup Round of 16
Morocco eliminated European giants Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time to book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead in the 72nd minute with a composed finish. Morocco hit back deep into stoppage time when Fulham defender Issa Diop headed home in the 90+1st minute from a Chemsdine Talbi cross to force extra time.
The Atlas Lions were calmer from the spot, winning the shootout 3-2. Justin Kluivert, Wout Weghorst, and Crysencio Summerville all missed for the Netherlands, while Morocco missed through Soufiane El Aynaoui and Ayoub Rahimi.
Diop’s late equalizer earned him the FIFA Man of the Match award.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said he had a feeling about his defender: “I dreamed he would score a very important header… but I didn’t know it was going to be today! I told him after the match. He deserves it so much!”
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman was defiant in defeat: “I look back positively on the tournament. We have nothing to blame ourselves for. The Netherlands have asked for five defenders. Then you play with five. You get criticism for that. But again: I don’t care…” [beIN Sports]