FIFA World Cup 2026: After dominating Dutch, coach wants Moreocco!

Mohamed Ouahbi. Pic/AFP

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the FIFA World Cup, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential, following their thrilling 3-2 victory on penalties against the Netherlands here on Monday.

It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time. Ouahbi said that Moroccan football is now reaping the benefits of the 2022 team's exploits in becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Morocco players after beating the Netherlands on Monday. Pic/AFP

"We totally dominated them [Netherlands]. We had 70 per cent possession, more shots and more expected goals. We wanted to stay calm, play our game and believe that if it went to penalties we had an exceptional goalkeeper. The World Cup in Qatar changed our mentality. The players believe in themselves, the fans believe in us as well. It's so important. The fans are demanding, because they know just how far we can go," said Ouahbi, before adding, "We're unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play."

Morocco face co-hosts Canada in the last 16.

Both teams had plenty of chances in the game, with Dutch custodian Bart Verbruggen in particular making a string of eye-catching saves.

Eventually, forward Cody Gakpo scored an emotional opener for Ronald Koeman's side in the 72nd minute, breaking down in tears after he recently announced the loss of his unborn child.

However, Morocco defender Issa Diop equalised in the 91st minute, heading in a lovely cross from Chemsdine Talbi.

In the ensuing shootout, which was characterised by plenty of misses, Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal for Morocco after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save off Netherlands's Crysencio Summerville with the score tied at 2-2.

Two
No. of penalty shootout wins for Morocco; they had beaten Spain 3-0 on penalties in 2022

Three
No. of consecutive World Cups in which the Netherlands have been knocked out on penalties; they lost 3-4 to Argentina in 2022, and 2-4 to the same opponents in 2014

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever