Morocco, the only African side to reach a World Cup semifinal, ended Netherlands’s World Cup hopes in the last 32 of the 2026 edition as the African side beat the Dutch on penalty shootout at Monterrey Stadium, Mexico.
Cody Gakpo fired the Netherlands ahead early in the second half, but Issa Diop struck deep into stoppage time to force the match level.
Widely regarded as one of the standout contests of the Round of 32, the clash delivered breathtaking drama from start to finish.
وتستمر الــحكــايــة من الــمــكــســيــك يا أسود🦁🇲🇽
🏁 Full-time! (2)🇳🇱1-1(3)🇲🇦
Our National Team is through to the Round of 16! 💪#DimaMaghrib #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ObYtKib1Hk— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) June 30, 2026
With little separating the two sides, they battled through extra time before the tie was decided by penalties. Morocco held their composure in the shootout, emerging 3–2 winners.
Saibari calmly buried the decisive spot kick, ripped off his shirt in celebration, and sent Morocco and its supporters into ecstasy.
For the Netherlands, the journey comes to an end.






