Morocco Triumphs, Dutch Out
Saibari's Decisive Penalty Sends Morocco Past Netherlands, Marking Dutch Earliest World Cup Exit
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Morocco eliminated the Netherlands from the 2026 World Cup on Monday, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. Associated Press confirmed that Ismael Saibari scored the decisive kick, sending the Dutch to their earliest-ever World Cup exit. It is the first time the Netherlands has failed to reach the Round of 16 in any of their 12 World Cup appearances.
The match pitted the world's 6th- and 7th-ranked teams against each other — the highest combined FIFA ranking of any Round of 32 fixture, according to KTVN. Morocco, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, now advance to face co-host Canada in Houston on July 4.
Stoppage-Time Header Saves Morocco from Elimination
The Netherlands looked set to advance after Cody Gakpo hammered home a 72nd-minute strike assisted by Crysencio Summerville. The goal carried deep emotion: Gakpo was playing just days after losing his unborn son, Elijah. He pointed to the sky as he fell to his knees in tears, according to The Guardian.
Morocco refused to quit. In the 91st minute, center-back Issa Diop headed in a cross from 18-year-old substitute Chemsdine Talbi to level the score. The late equalizer forced extra time, where neither side scored. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou — known as Bono — made a "vital, incredible stop" on Soufiane Rahimi's attempt in the 96th minute to keep it level, per The Indian Express.
Saibari and Bounou Deliver the Shootout Heroics
The penalty shootout stayed locked at 2-2 through four rounds. Then Bounou dived to his left to stop Summerville's fifth-round attempt. Saibari stepped up next and buried his kick into the low left corner to seal the win, according to Reuters.
Saibari, a PSV forward linked with a move to Bayern Munich, has now scored four goals in the tournament. Morocco missed twice in the shootout. The Netherlands missed three times. The Dutch had never lost to an African team in six previous World Cup matches before Monday night, per The Indian Express.
Koeman's Late Substitutions Draw Sharp Criticism
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman faced immediate scrutiny for his decisions in extra time. He pulled Gakpo off in the 113th minute for Justin Kluivert — weakening the Dutch shootout lineup. He also replaced Frenkie de Jong with Marten de Roon, a move Al Jazeera described as part of a "damage control" approach that backfired badly.
The Guardian wrote that Morocco "deserved to win" against a "negative Netherlands" side that appeared to play for penalties rather than a second goal. Dutch media called the shootout "error-strewn" and a "heavy price for misses." The loss is expected to trigger a full review of the team's aging core, including veterans like Virgil van Dijk.
Morocco's Win Signals a New Era in World Football
This result is not seen as an upset. Morocco reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals — beating Spain and Portugal along the way. They entered 2026 as Africa Cup of Nations champions and held five-time World Cup winners Brazil to a 1-1 draw in the group stage, according to The Indian Express. Analysts are calling the win a sign of a real shift in global football power.
Large celebrations broke out across European cities with big Moroccan communities, including Amsterdam and Brussels, per Al Jazeera. In Canada, excitement is building ahead of the July 4 clash in Houston. Saibari's market value currently stands at €32 million, per Transfermarkt, but that figure is widely expected to jump after his tournament heroics.
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