Morocco survive penalty drama to down Netherlands and reach Round of 16

RIYADH: Few would argue the match between the Netherlands and Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 resembled anything but an early semifinal clash. Two top sides battled it out in Monterrey to conclude the day, with Morocco holding the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw after extra time before winning 3-2 on penalties.

As opposed to the stalemate between Canada and South Africa in the first Round of 32 encounter, the clash between Morocco and the Netherlands was played at a ferocious tempo, with shades of the Battle of Nuremberg between Portugal and the Netherlands in 2006 — albeit with fewer cards.

Within the first quarter of an hour, defender Chadi Riad had his shirt ripped on more than one occasion after confrontations with Brian Brobbey, while Ismael Saibari and Jan Paul van Hecke clashed as well.

Brobbey’s miss of a clear-cut chance in the 16th minute was flagged for offside, but it set the tone for the remainder of the half. Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was called into action moments later, when he parried away Neil El-Aynaoui’s header from a corner off the goal line.

In the 21st minute, Saibari threaded Achraf Hakimi through on goal, only for his effort to be tipped away by Verbruggen.

Yassine Bounou was also called into action, denying Micky Van de Ven’s scorcher in the 40th minute, which was the Netherlands’ clearest opportunity of the half.

But it was just before half-time that Morocco felt they should have taken the lead.

In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, El-Aynaoui won possession in midfield, sparking a counterattack that saw Saibari slip Ounahi through towards the penalty area. Ounahi, however, lifted his effort over Verbruggen's goal.

Moments before the break, a free-kick was