Post-Match Unrest in The Hague
Following the Netherlands‘ elimination from the World Cup, scenes of unrest unfolded in The Hague. Police reported that “heavy fireworks were set off” in the Schilderswijk district, with officers facing fireworks and stones. Riot squads were deployed to manage the situation, utilizing a water cannon to disperse crowds. Authorities confirmed that “a few individuals have been arrested for committing open violence” amidst the sporadic disturbances in areas with a significant Moroccan community.
The Dutch side was knocked out of the tournament after a dramatic penalty shootout against Morocco on Monday night. The match concluded 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco ultimately securing a 3-2 victory in the shootout.
Match Details and Managerial Reaction
The Netherlands initially took the lead in the 72nd minute through a goal from Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool winger’s goal came after a challenging week, following news that his partner had suffered a miscarriage. However, Morocco equalised in the 91st minute with a powerful header from Issa Diop, sending the match into extra time.
Despite the Dutch holding the advantage late in the game, Morocco‘s resilience led to the equaliser. The game remained deadlocked after extra time, leading to the decisive penalty shootout. Both teams missed two of their first four spot-kicks. Crysencio Summerville‘s attempt was saved by Yassine Bounou, paving the way for Ismail Saibari to convert the winning penalty for Morocco, ending the Netherlands‘ hopes of a maiden World Cup title.
Jorrel Hato made his first appearance at the 2026 World Cup during this match, coming on as a substitute for Micky van de Ven in the left wing-back role with four minutes of normal time remaining. Despite the Dutch defeat, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was noted for several fine saves throughout the match, including a crucial stop against Soufiane Rahimi in extra time. Achraf Hakimi also struck the crossbar for Morocco.
Following the defeat, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman stated he would reflect on his future. When asked if he had resigned, Koeman responded, “No, I haven’t. I’m going to reflect on my future. This is straight after a game and the disappointment is so fresh in your mind. I’m going to reflect on it and maybe I’ll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning.”
Koeman faced scrutiny for his tactical approach, particularly for selecting a five-man back line. He defended his strategy, stating, “You can think whatever you like but we gave away much less against a team that was stronger than [group stage opponents] Sweden and Tunisia. If I had to do it again I’d do it all the same way. As the Dutch coach when the equaliser is scored I am always going to be scolded for the fact I chose five defenders. But you criticise, which is your right. You watch from the sidelines, I’m here with the team and, once again, I’d do it again.”
Morocco‘s head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, admitted surprise at the Netherlands‘ defensive formation. “We were taken aback by their formation,” he said. “When we saw it we knew they wanted to defend in a low block. That’s not usually how they play and we had to adapt. I saw this type of play as a form of respect.”
Morocco’s Advancement and Celebrations
In contrast to the unrest in The Hague, Morocco‘s victory sparked widespread celebrations in Casablanca. A popular coffee shop, initially gripped by silence during the penalty shootout, erupted into a “deafening roar” when Ismael Saibari scored the decisive spot kick. This secured Morocco‘s place in the Round of 16.
The jubilation quickly moved to the streets, with flares and fireworks lighting up the night sky. Car horns blared as fans celebrated into the early hours. Despite the late kick-off and the impending workday, dozens of supporters gathered on a main boulevard around 5 am local time, dancing, waving Moroccan flags, and chanting, “Canada, we’re coming for you.”
Morocco is now scheduled to face co-host Canada in the next round on Saturday. This upcoming match will be a rematch of their 2022 World Cup group stage encounter, which Morocco won 2-1. Expectations are high for Morocco, with fans hoping the team can replicate their historic run four years ago, when they became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Mohamed Ouahbi emphasised the importance of on-field performance, stating, “Talk is cheap, it’s what we can do on the pitch that counts. The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Moroccan team. We’re unstoppable if we play the football we know how to play, but if we get things wrong we’ll go home.”
The team’s success has generated significant anticipation, with the possibility of facing France in the last eight, a team that defeated them in the Qatar 2022 semi-finals.
Source: independent.co.uk