Morocco upsets Netherlands to reach World Cup Round of 16
Morocco will face Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 4th.
Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Monday to book a place in the Round of 16, knocking out one of the tournament heavyweights and extending the Atlas Lions’ unbeaten run at the 2026 World Cup.
Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute, but Morocco forced extra time when Issa Diop scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time before the Atlas Lions secured a 3-2 penalty shootout victory.
Morocco advanced through the group stage without a defeat, finishing second behind Brazil on goal difference after collecting seven points from a tie against Brazil and wins against Scotland and Haiti. The Netherlands also entered Monday's match unbeaten after topping Group F with seven points and scoring 10 goals.
The result carries added significance given the deep ties between the two countries. People of Moroccan descent make up roughly 2.4% of the Netherlands' population, or more than 430,000 people, and three players on Morocco's World Cup squad were born in the Netherlands.
Morocco's national team is seeking to build on its historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where it became the first African and first Arab nation to reach the semifinals before falling 2-0 to France. A victory over the Netherlands would move the Atlas Lions one step closer to surpassing that milestone.
Awaiting Morocco in Houston on July 4 is Canada, a matchup that could offer the Atlas Lions a clear path to the quarterfinals. The North American side beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday to reach the Round of 16.
