Morocco and the Netherlands met in a dramatic World Cup round of 32 clash in Monterrey, with the Atlas Lions ultimately prevailing on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time to book their place in the last 16. Relive our liveblog to see how things unfolded.
Official lineups
Netherlands: Verbruggen – Van Hecke, Van Dijk (c), Aké – Dumfries, Gravenberch, De Jong, Van de Ven – Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo.
Morocco: Bounou – Hakimi (c), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari.
Here’s our recap
Saibariiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Morocco is qualified for the round of 16!!
Morocco only needs to score once and they get past the Netherlands!
What a save from Bono!!! With one hand!
Captain Hakimi blows it too!!
3-3 now
Timber misses the penalty
Talbi scores too
Top left hand corner for Weghorst
Rahimi got lucky!
Kluivert fails to convert too
He hits the left post!
El Aynaoui misses!
Neil El Aynaoui’s penalty crashes against the crossbar and bounces away!
Koopmeiners scores
Teun Koopmeiners steps up and converts! Even though Bono anticipates the direction and moves to that side, Koopmeiners places the ball perfectly out of reach. Netherlands 1-0 in the shootout.
Penalties it is!
Neither side could find a winner during extra time as the Netherlands and Morocco conclude their battle still level at 1-1. This Round of 32 tie will be decided from the penalty spot!
1 minute of added time
Gakpo cramps up
Cody Gakpo is replaced by Justin Kluivert after cramping up. The goalscorer departs the pitch under a warm ovation from the Netherlands supporters
Tactical adjustment for Koeman
De Jong is replaced by Marten de Roon
Final 15 minutes await
The first period of extra time has concluded with the score still level at 1-1. We now enter the decisive final 15 minutes!
Verbruggen denies Rahimi! What a save!
What a chance for Morocco! Soufiane Rahimi creates space in the penalty area and strikes towards the left corner, but Verbruggen produces a brilliant save to deny him!
Morocco playing it cautious
Atlas Lions are keeping the ball moving with composed, patient possession, but without taking unnecessary risks or exposing their defence
Morocco arrive in Monterrey on Monday with something to prove. African champions and quarter-finalists in Qatar, the Lions want to show their surprise run in 2022 was no fluke, and a Dutch team remains the ideal test.
The Netherlands, perpetual World Cup contenders who have lost three finals, bring their own ambitions. Both teams navigated the group stage convincingly: Morocco matched Brazil before brushing past Scotland and Haiti, while the Dutch weathered a Japan scare to dispatch Sweden and Tunisia.
The match carries extra spice. Five Moroccan players will face former or current Dutch teammates, including Ismael Saibari, the Lions’ tournament top scorer, who recently won three Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven.
