Morocco advances after penalty shootout
Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a World Cup last-32 match, progressing to the next round after a penalty shootout. The game, held in Monterrey, Mexico, ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with no additional goals during extra time. Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick, securing a 3-2 victory in the shootout for Morocco. This result means Morocco will now face Canada in the last-16.
The Netherlands initially took the lead through Cody Gakpo with 18 minutes remaining in regular time. However, Issa Diop equalised for Morocco with a header in stoppage time. Nathan Ake started for the Dutch side, while Tijjani Reijnders remained on the bench. Achraf Hakimi of Morocco hit the crossbar during the match, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made several saves to keep the score level for a period.
Two Dutch defenders, Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke, both started the match. Van Hecke played the entire game, while van de Ven was substituted in the 86th minute. The elimination of the Netherlands leaves several players from various clubs still in the tournament.
Mixed reactions in the Netherlands
Following Morocco‘s victory, celebrations erupted among the Moroccan community in Amsterdam, starting around 6 am. Car horns sounded in Amsterdam, and fans waved flags, with Dutch fans reportedly congratulating their opponents. However, the atmosphere in The Hague was different, with reports of unrest.
The Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that police were targeted with bottles and fireworks in The Hague. A regional news station, Omroep West, stated that at least 10 individuals, believed to be Morocco fans, were arrested in The Hague following attacks on police. Additionally, the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported four arrests of Morocco fans in Rotterdam, though the reasons for these arrests were not specified.
The match and its aftermath have highlighted discussions about social cohesion in the Netherlands, where approximately 440,000 people of Moroccan descent reside. Before the game, many were asked about their support for either team. Some Dutch-Moroccan players have chosen to represent Morocco, with three members of Morocco‘s squad born in the Netherlands, including Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Anass Salah-Eddine.
The political landscape, influenced by figures such as Geert Wilders, has also played a role in these discussions. Wilders, known for his comments regarding the Moroccan community, posted an AI picture on X before the game depicting himself as a referee giving a red card to a Morocco player. After the match, Wilders used X to congratulate Morocco on their win.
Morocco’s strong performance
Morocco, who were semi-finalists in the previous World Cup, demonstrated a strong performance against the Netherlands. The team is ranked sixth in Fifa‘s rankings, one spot above their opponents. Despite their dominance, Morocco‘s wastefulness in front of goal almost cost them the match.
The team’s success has been a source of pride, with many players of Moroccan heritage choosing to represent the North African nation. The celebrations in Amsterdam, particularly in areas with a significant Moroccan population, were described as joyful and peaceful, contrasting with the incidents reported in The Hague. Morocco will now prepare to face Canada in their next match.
Source: theguardian.com