World Cup 2026: Morocco eliminate the Netherlands on penalties after tense derby

The two teams faced off in a high-tension setting, with Morocco dominating possession with 69% and holding a notable advantage in total shots (11 to the Netherlands’ 6). In a 4-2-3-1 setup, Mohamed Ouahbi fielded a balanced team, while Ronald Koeman opted for a classic 3-4-2-1 system.

The turning point came in the final seconds of stoppage time. Issa Diop scored for Morocco in the 90+1st minute to equalize after Cody Gakpo had opened the scoring in the 72nd minute. Despite several second-half changes to inject energy into the game, including the introductions of Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst for the Netherlands, extra time could not separate the two sides.

In the penalty shootout, Morocco prevailed thanks to greater accuracy, converting three penalties to the Dutch side’s two. The win confirms the solidity of the North African team led by Ouahbi, particularly in defence with Issa Diop, who scored the goal and delivered a solid performance, and in goal with Yassine Bounou, who kept his team in the match.

Netherlands performance and tactical choices

Ronald Koeman had banked on a 3-4-2-1 formation with Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké and Jan Paul van Hecke in central defence. Despite a good start and an unfulfilled territorial dominance, the Dutch suffered from a lack of cutting edge in their finishing. Cody Gakpo, who started up front, was the only one to find a way through during regulation time. Crysencio Summerville was lively, providing an assist and producing several promising combinations. Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch tried to impose their tempo in midfield, but the Moroccan defence contained their initiatives well. The tactical substitutions of Koopmeiners, Weghorst and De Roon were intended to revive the attack, without a decisive breakthrough before the fateful penalty shootout.

Moroccan solidity and the end of the road for the Netherlands

Mohamed Ouahbi had set up a structured 4-2-3-1 with a well-organized defence including Achraf Hakimi and Issa Diop. Morocco showed patience and technical control, dominating possession and creating repeated attacks, notably through Ismael Saibari up front and Brahim Díaz as the attacking playmaker. Issa Diop’s goal, coming from an advanced full-back situation, kept Moroccan hopes alive in stoppage time. In extra time, the team withstood Dutch pressure, with key interventions in the final minutes. The penalty shootout victory validated the collective performance of a united team capable of standing up to a renowned European side.