Morocco beat Netherlands on penalties to set up Canada last-16 tie

MONTERREY: Morocco moved into the World Cup last 16 on Monday after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time in Monterrey.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the decisive intervention in the shoot-out when he stopped the Netherlands' fourth penalty, taken by Crysencio Summerville. Ismael Saibari then converted the winning kick to send Morocco through to a last-16 meeting with Canada in Houston on Saturday.

The match had looked to be slipping away from Morocco after the Netherlands went ahead midway through the second half through Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool forward scored only days after his partner confirmed the death of the couple's unborn son, and after finding the net he fell to the ground before being embraced by his teammates.

Morocco forced extra time in dramatic fashion when Issa Diop headed in from Chemsdine Talbi's cross in the first minute of stoppage time. The equaliser came after the Netherlands had appeared to be closing in on victory, with Virgil van Dijk helping organise the Dutch defence.

Morocco created the better openings

Morocco produced the clearer chances in a physical contest that tested Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio. Neil el-Aynaoui nearly opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner toward goal, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen reacted sharply to keep it out. Verbruggen was called into action again soon after, pushing over a powerful effort from Hakimi.

The combative nature of the game was evident throughout the first half. Saibari was fortunate not to be punished after catching Jan Paul van Hecke with an elbow to the face. At the other end, Micky van de Ven's powerful strike from outside the penalty area on 44 minutes was tipped over by Bounou. Van Hecke, who had his head bloodied in a collision inside the box, also produced a heavy challenge on el-Aynaoui shortly before the break.

Morocco continued to threaten and Saibari was just unable to make contact with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before half-time. The Netherlands enjoyed long spells of possession but struggled to turn that control into clear scoring opportunities.

Late equaliser changed the match

The second half remained open before Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman made a series of changes after the hydration break, including sending on Wout Weghorst. The substitute made an immediate contribution by flicking on a long ball that released Summerville. He squared it for Gakpo, who threw himself at the ball to finish.

Morocco responded at the end of normal time and then came close to winning it in extra time. In the 96th minute, Soufiane Rahimi broke through on goal but was denied by an outstanding save from Verbruggen. The Dutch held on long enough to take the match to penalties, even after Morocco had missed their first attempt when el-Aynaoui struck the bar.

Despite that early setback in the shoot-out, Morocco recovered to complete the win and secure a place in the knockout round against Canada.