Morocco Edges the Netherlands in the Shootout

By Daniel Feuerstein | Monterrey, MX | June 29th, 2026

This game had the feel of a 12-round boxing match between the Netherlands and Morocco, as these two National Teams battled for 120 minutes and five rounds of the penalty shootout in their Round of 32 matchup. These two teams played with high energy and created multiple chances to get the win and move on to the next round. If the 90 minutes didn’t do it, the extra 30 was the next level. When that didn’t happen, then it was the shootout, and Morocco came out as winners, winning it three to two in the shootout after a one-goal draw in regulation and extra time.

Big attacking run leads to a goal

The Dutch got the opening goal when they had possession and broke down the far side. It all began with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen clearing the ball to the midfield, and just coming on as a substitute was Wout Weghorst, with a flick header toward Crysencio Summerville, and off to the races they went. With two defenders on him, Summerville somehow made the pass toward a trailing Cody Gakpo and, on a one-timer, smashed the ball into the back of the net and dropped to his knees and cried in the 72nd minute. His teammates circled him and showed him support.

Late equalizer in second half stoppage time

Morocco was getting closer to second half stoppage time as they possessed the ball, trying to set up a big moment to earn the equalizer. Just as the fourth official posted six minutes on his board. The big moment came as Chemsdine Talbi was near the far side touchline and delivered a very long cross that was headed for the net, and out of nowhere was the centerback Issa Diop, who delivered a slight flick header and scored the equalizer in the first minute of six. The stadium exploded with all the Morocco fans behind the net, and everyone knew this was headed for extra time.

Extra time was empty, so on to the shootout

Both sides were making runs to get that go-ahead goal, but after the 30 minutes nothing happened, so off to the shootout it went. The Dutch went first, and it was an exchange of goals and misses. It was one-all after two when the third round came, and both sides converted their spot kicks; then the last two rounds came, and it was painful to watch Quinton Timber took the fourth kick for the Dutch and yanked it wide of the left post, Morocco’s sure footed Achraf Hakimi who scored the winning penalty for Paris St. Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final hit the left post and out.

Crysencio Summerville took his shot toward the left post, but waiting for it and standing upright was Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, getting his right hand up and tapping the ball away and grabbing it for the save. The big moment in the last regulation penalty was Ismael Saibari, when he took his penalty, forced the keeper to go to the right, and Saibari went to his left and won it for Morocco as they will move on toward the Round of 16 to face Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, July 4th.

Morocco and the Netherlands had an exciting Round of 32 match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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