Morocco secured a historic and dramatic spot in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, in one of the most intense and thrilling matches of the tournament.

The Moroccans were the better team for long stretches, controlled the play, and created the most dangerous chances of the match, but they were up against an outstanding Bart Verbruggen, who kept the Netherlands in the game with crucial saves both in regulation and in extra time.

During the penalty shootout, the match turned into a real thriller, with several missed attempts and intense pressure on every kick. Despite the many missed shots by both teams, there was only one save by a goalkeeper— that of Bono on a shot by Craicensio Summerville, which proved decisive and ultimately secured Morocco’s advancement.

Morocco thus continues its run in the tournament and advances to the Round of 16, where it will face Canada, writing yet another remarkable chapter in its tournament journey.

Highlights

Penalty kicks:

Kopmeiners, goal (1-0)
El Ainaoui, hit the post (1-0)
Kluivert, hit the post (1-0)
Rahimi, goal (1-1)
Venghorst, goal (2-1)
Talbi, goal (2-2)
Timber, wide (2-2)
Hakimi, hit the post (2-2)
Summerville, saved (2-2)
Saibari, goal (2-3)

Team lineups:

Netherlands (Koeman): Verbruggen, Damfris, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Fen (86’ Hato), Ake (71’ Kopmeiners), Graafsbergen (86’ Timber), De Jong (110’ De Roon), Summerville, Hakpo (113’ Kluivert), Brobbey (71’ Veghorst).

Morocco (Wahbi): Bono, Hakimi, Diop, Riad (75’ Salah-Eddin), Mazraoui, Bouadi (79’ El Mourabet), Ounahi (86’ Sbai), El Ainaoui, El Kanous (86’ Talbi), Diath (79’ Yassin), Saibari.

*photo source: AP