Morocco knockout Netherlands on penalties in World Cup

Morocco's national football team secured a dramatic victory over the Netherlands on Monday in the first knockout round of the World Cup, winning 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regular time.

Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute, but Morocco equalized in stoppage time through Issa Diop. Extra time produced no goals, although Soufiane Rahimi had a golden opportunity in the seventh minute, only to be denied by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from close range.

In the penalty shootout, Morocco prevailed 3-2. The Dutch started with a successful penalty, but Morocco's first taker, Neil El Anouy, hit the crossbar. Netherlands' second shooter, Justin Kluivert, struck the post, while Rahimi's weak penalty was saved by Verbruggen but then inadvertently kicked into his own net by the goalkeeper. Both teams scored in the third round, but Netherlands' Quinten Timber sent his shot wide left in the fourth. Morocco could not seal the win immediately as Achraf Hakimi hit the post. In the final round, Dutch substitute Crysencio Summerville saw his weak effort easily saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Ismael Saibari beat Verbruggen to secure Morocco's victory.

Morocco will now face Canada in the round of 16, after Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 in the first knockout round. This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The semi-finals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, the bronze medal match for July 18, and the final for July 19. The previous tournament in Qatar in 2022 was won by Argentina, who beat France on penalties.