The Mt Kenya Times 
Atlas Lions battle back from a stoppage-time deficit to send the Dutch out of the World Cup in a dramatic shootout
By Norman Mwale
“We fought until the very last second. This is for all of Morocco.” — Ismael Saibari
Morocco knocked the Netherlands out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time at Estadio Monterrey on Monday, 29 June 2026. Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick to send the Atlas Lions into the last 16 and hand the Dutch their earliest World Cup exit in two decades.
The Netherlands led for most of the match after Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 72nd minute, finishing off a flowing move started by Crysencio Summerville. The goal looked set to take Ronald Koeman’s side through, with Morocco repeatedly frustrated by Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves through the match, including a reflex stop to deny Neil El Aynaoui’s header inside the opening 20 minutes.
Morocco refused to fold and forced extra time deep into stoppage time, when an unmarked Issa Diop rose to head home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, despite a tense closing spell that saw Verbruggen produce a stunning save to deny Soufiane Rahimi a certain goal, and the tie went to penalties.
The shootout was every bit as nerve-shredding as the match itself. Morocco missed their first attempt when El Aynaoui struck the crossbar, but the Atlas Lions recovered as the Netherlands also faltered, with misses from the spot proving costly for Koeman’s side. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced the decisive save, denying a Dutch penalty to leave Saibari with the chance to seal it — which he took with composure to complete a 3-2 shootout win.
“This is our fourth World Cup match; it is a knockout match,” Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. “We are not lacking in motivation. The players showed belief until the last moment.” Saibari, named Man of the Match, said: “I knew if I scored we were through. Bono was huge for us, and the team never gave up.”
Koeman admitted it was a painful way to exit. “It is actually a shame that the match is taking place already, because we are two teams that normally should advance in the tournament,” the Netherlands coach said. “If you lose, you go home. We had chances, but Morocco punished us.” Captain Virgil van Dijk added: “Penalties are cruel. We are gutted, but credit to Morocco. They fought until the end.”
The result sets up a Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Canada on 4 July in Houston, after Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the opening knockout match. For the Netherlands, it is a bitter end after topping Group F in style, and a shootout exit that recalls their 2022 quarter-final defeat to Argentina.
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