30 June,2026 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Morocco players celebrating with fans (Pic: AFP)
African giants Morocco kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 dream alive with a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides drew 1-1 following extra time in a gripping Round of 32 encounter.
Following a cagey opening 45 minutes, the deadlock was broken in the 72nd minute. Crysencio Summerville picked out Cody Gakpo with a perfectly weighted ball, allowing Gakpo to slot it home and give the Dutch a 1-0 lead.
The goal carried deep personal significance for the striker. The Dutch forward, Gakpo, was overcome with emotion after scoring, breaking down in tears as teammates and members of the Netherlands bench rushed onto the field to embrace him. Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, had recently announced the loss of their unborn child.
Netherlands looked poised to advance to the next round before Morocco scored a stunning equaliser deep into injury time. In the 91st minute, Chemsdine Talbi floated a dangerous cross into the box, allowing Issa Diop to outleap the defence and score a powerful header into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
While the late goal injected fresh energy into the Moroccan side, neither team could find a breakthrough during the 30 minutes of extra time.
The following penalty shootout was filled with edge, as both teams failed to convert two penalties apiece, but Moroccan shot-stopper Yassine Bounou lived up to his reputation as a penalty specialist, guessing correctly to save Crysencio Summerville's effort.
With a successful penalty needed to win, star striker Ismael Saibari stepped up for Morocco's crucial final kick and secured a 3-2 shootout win, triggering wild celebrations across the stadium.
The match was one of the most elite matchups in the Round of 32, featuring world number six Morocco against world number seven Netherlands. It also marked just the second game of the tournament to go down to a penalty shootout, following Paraguay's elimination of Germany earlier that same day.
Morocco is now scheduled to take on host nation Canada in the opening Round of 16 match at NRG Stadium on Saturday as their World Cup campaign rolls on.
(With ANI inputs)
