Morocco beat Netherlands on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

HOUSTON: Morocco moved into the World Cup last 16 on Monday after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in their round-of-32 match.

Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty for Morocco after a contest in which the Dutch had gone ahead late in normal time. Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands in front in the 72nd minute, finishing off a flowing move created by Crysencio Summerville.

Gakpo broke down in tears after scoring. The article said he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy last week. Morocco had created a number of openings before and after the goal, with Achraf Hakimi hitting the crossbar early in the second half.

Morocco forced extra time with a stoppage-time equaliser when Issa Diop headed in one minute into added time. The match then went to penalties, where Morocco prevailed 3-2 to set up a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Canada in Houston on Saturday.