Morocco eliminate Netherlands to book round of 16 berth | 2026 FIFA World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup (Round of 32):

• Netherlands 1 (2) – 1 (3) Morocco
• Germany 1 (3) – 1 (4) Paraguay
• Brazil 2-1 Japan
• South Africa 0-1 Canada

Morocco became the fourth country to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 stage.

This followed a hard-fought 3-2 post match penalty victory over Netherlands  the Estadio Monterrey.

Normal time of this thrilling duel had ended 1-goal apiece before the additional 30 minutes failed to produce any other further goals.

Cody Mathes Gakpo gave Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute.

The beautiful strike from the Liverpool forward arrived just days after the death of his unborn baby as he shed tears moments after.

Issa Laye Lucas Jean Diop leveled matters in the 91st minute with a great header past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to force the 30 additional minutes.

2022 semi-finalists in Qatar, Morocco then advanced following a 3-2 tense dramatic shootout in the post match penalties at the expense of the Netherlands who have lost three FIFA World Cup finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Ismael Saibari scored the winning penalty after Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bonnou had recorded a save.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco march to the round of 16 stage where they will take on co-hosts Canada in Houston on 4th July 2026.

At the stage of 16, they also join Paraguay and five time record champions Brazil.

Netherlands’ best ever result at the FIFA World Cup was silver during the 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Paraguay eliminated the four-time champions Germany after 4-3 post penalty victory when normal time had ended one goal apiece at the Boston stadium.

The South Americans now await either France or Sweden at the round of 16 at the Philadelphia stadium on 4th July 2026.

Brazil came from a goal down to dump out Japan 2-1 and will await either Ivory Coast or Norway at East Rutherford on 5th July 2026.

Team Line Ups:                                

Netherlands XI: Bart Verbruggen; Denzel Dumfries, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Aké, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke; Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong; Brian Brobbey, Crysencio Summerville, Cody Gakpo

Morocco XI: Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad; Brahim Díaz, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Azzedine Ounahi; Bilal El Khannouss

The post Morocco eliminate Netherlands to book round of 16 berth | 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Kawowo Sports.