Morocco beat The Netherlands in Netherlands–morocco Relations on penalties after extra time and moved into the 8es de finale. Le Maroc survived a tense 16e de finale that turned on one save, one miss, and Bounou’s right hand.
Bounou Holds the Line
The decisive stretch started in extra time, when Bart Verbruggen made an important save and delayed the shootout. After that, the match moved to penalties, where Morocco found the cleaner finish.
Bounou then made a strong save against the number 24. That stop gave Morocco the edge it needed to finish the job and eliminate The Netherlands from the Coupe du monde.
Saibari Bleeds, Morocco Stays
Saibari also had an open eyebrow wound and was bleeding heavily, but Morocco kept playing through the chaos. The injury added another hard edge to a match already shaped by pressure, contact, and missed chances.
Earlier, Cody Gakpo had scored for The Netherlands, and Issa Diop responded. Van Dijk headed away a cross while Rahimi was in position behind him, and Kluivert entered after a player had been lying outside the field before re-entering to break the rhythm. De Roon replaced De Jong in midfield as the game tightened.
Penalty Order Turns Morocco
The shootout itself swung on exact margins. The midfielder from Juve was first up and scored hard into the right side of Bounou. The ex-Lensois then hit the crossbar, the new entrant struck the left post of Bounou, and The Marseillais sent his effort wide despite an open goal. Morocco’s captain hit the post as well, but the missed Dutch chances left Morocco still in front when the series ended.
Morocco now goes on to face Canada in the round of 16. For The Netherlands, the loss ends the knockout run in a match that lasted long enough to expose every weak shot and reward every clean save.
