*This content was translated by AI.
Morocco continues its journey toward the championship.
On the 30th (Korea time), Morocco drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in a 120-minute battle including extra time in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Round of 32 at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Morocco won the penalty shootout 3-2. Morocco's next opponent in the Round of 16 is co-host Canada.
Morocco, which created a quarterfinal legend at the Qatar tournament, advanced to the knockout stage as the second-place team in Group C. Although they achieved a strong record of two wins and one draw in the group stage, they finished behind Brazil in goal difference after competing for first place in the group until the end.
Morocco is now recognized not only as a powerhouse in Africa but also as a team drawing attention in this tournament. Their best World Cup performance was reaching the quarterfinals in Qatar, but they have continued to achieve consistent success, including winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Thanks to this, they entered the tournament ranked seventh in the FIFA rankings, higher than the eighth-ranked Netherlands.
The Netherlands, led by coach Ronald Koeman, recorded two wins and one draw (seven points) in Group F, advancing to the Round of 32 as the group winner. The Netherlands is a traditional powerhouse and a championship contender, but it has never won the World Cup. It finished as runner-up in the 1974, 1978, and 2010 tournaments. In the previous Qatar tournament, it reached the quarterfinals. This time, the goal was to surpass that and achieve its first World Cup title.
Morocco, led by coach Mohamed Ouaali, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ismaila Sarr (PSV Eindhoven), who has scored three goals in this tournament, started as the striker. Ashraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), a teammate of South Korea's Golden Boy Lee Kang-in and known as the "Moroccan captain," started as the right fullback.
Koeman's Netherlands deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), one of the world's top center-backs, anchored the back three. His Liverpool teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo also started. Frenkie de Jong, who plays for Barcelona, was responsible for the midfield.
The first half ended 0-0. Both teams cautiously probed for openings, but the balance remained unbroken. The tense atmosphere continued into the early stages of the second half.
The Netherlands made the first decisive move. Coach Koeman brought on Baoussou Bouchouari (FC Twente) and Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus) in the 26th minute of the second half. The substitutions immediately paid off. One minute later, the Netherlands broke through Morocco's defense with a quick counterattack, and Gakpo calmly found the net to score the opening goal.
But Morocco survived from the brink. In the first minute of stoppage time in the second half, trailing 0-1, Idrissa Diop scored a dramatic equalizer. Diop connected with a powerful header from a cross delivered by Hemsidine Talbi (Sunderland), restoring the tie.
The match then moved to extra time and eventually to a penalty shootout. The tension continued during the shootout. Both teams missed penalties, heightening the suspense.
Morocco emerged victorious in the end. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a crucial super save at a decisive moment. Bounou stopped a powerful shot from the Netherlands' fifth kicker, Chris Summerbill, with instinctive reflexes. Then, Morocco's fifth kicker, Sarr, calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Ultimately, Morocco defeated the Netherlands with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory and advanced to the Round of 16. Having written a quarterfinal legend in the Qatar World Cup, Morocco once again overcame a powerhouse like the Netherlands in this tournament, continuing another major journey.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
