Cody Gakpo was left inconsolable after his emotional strike was cancelled out late on, as Morocco came from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties and advance to the World Cup Round of 16 in Monterrey.
Walid Regragui’s side controlled large periods and looked the more dangerous team. Bart Verbruggen stood tall in the Dutch goal, denying Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi, who was celebrating his 100th cap. Hakimi also crashed an effort off the bar after the break.
The Netherlands, set up in a back five for the first time in 32 games under Ronald Koeman, struggled for rhythm. Brian Brobbey and Micky van de Ven had half-chances, but Morocco’s physicality, led by the duels between Ismail Saibari and Jan Paul van Hecke, dictated the tempo.
The Liverpool forward, who had confirmed the loss of his unborn son on Saturday but chose to stay with the squad, broke the deadlock 18 minutes from time. Latching onto a rapid Dutch counter, Gakpo smashed home and was immediately swarmed by teammates.
It seemed enough to send the Dutch through. Instead, it set up a brutal finish. In the first seconds of stoppage time, Chemsdine Talbi floated in a curling cross and Issa Diop thumped home a header to make it 1-1 and force extra time.
Verbruggen produced the save of the match early in extra time, clawing out a jinking Soufiane Rahimi effort, but neither side could find a winner.
From 12 yards, the Netherlands unravelled. Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst converted, but El Aynaoui hit the crossbar for Morocco. Justin Kluivert struck the base of the post, Quinten Timber dragged his kick wide, and Crysencio Summerville was denied by Yassine Bounou’s strong right hand. Rahimi’s penalty squirmed past Verbruggen to level it at 1-1, while Hakimi hit the same post as Kluivert. That left Saibari to finish it, sending Verbruggen the wrong way into the bottom corner to spark Moroccan celebrations.
Morocco’s resilience and clinical shootout edge book a last-16 tie with Canada in Houston. For the Dutch, it’s a painful exit defined by Gakpo’s courage and a stoppage-time sucker punch.
