Five Takeaways From Morocco’s Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win Over the Netherlands

The Netherlands became the latest European heavyweight to exit the 2026 FIFA World Cup, falling to Morocco on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Over 120 minutes, the outcome felt deserved, with the Atlas Lions showing more intent, urgency and attacking threat than an unusually cautious Oranje side.

For a while, the Dutch appeared set to survive despite being second best, as Cody Gakpo struck soon after the second-half hydration break. Morocco, however, kept pushing and eventually broke through in stoppage time through an unexpected scorer: Issa Diop, the central defender who was added to the squad only shortly before the tournament.

Here are my takeaways from the match.

1. Morocco Deserved The Shootout Win

When the contest reached penalties, the tension was obvious on both sides. Quinten Timber and Justin Kluivert both failed to hit the target with their efforts. Bart Verbruggen, outstanding throughout regulation and extra time, initially stopped Soufiane Rahimi’s attempt, but the ball slipped beneath him and he inadvertently knocked it into his own net.

In the end, the Netherlands can have few complaints about going out. The side that imposed itself for most of the match moved on. Morocco played with greater ambition and purpose, while the Dutch were hesitant, conservative and increasingly passive. By the closing stages, it looked as though the Netherlands were simply trying to reach penalties because a second goal did not seem likely.

For the Netherlands, the bigger frustration should be the overall display rather than the failed spot kicks.

2. Morocco Controlled The Game

In a meeting of two teams ranked inside FIFA’s top 10, the Dutch began brightly, but Morocco soon settled and dictated much of the first half. The Netherlands, typically built around attacking football, spent far more time defending than anticipated, which quickly disrupted their rhythm and original plan.

Shortly before the opening hydration break, Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi forced Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen into two sharp reaction saves. The Oranje did not seriously trouble Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou with an effort on target until just before first-half stoppage time.

The strong start clearly rattled the Netherlands, and it set the tone for the match. Ronald Koeman’s team struggled to get into the game. Specifically, left-winger Cody Gakpo and forward Brian Brobbey were not dangerous for the first 70 minutes. 

On the other hand, Morocco’s central midfield tandem of Neil El Aynaoui and budding teenage star Ayyoub Bouaddi controlled the pace of the game and ensured the game was played on their terms. 

At the start of the second half, the Dutch head coach made no changes either with his lineup or his formation. If he had hoped that his team would naturally find its way, that was not the case. In the gap between the start of the second half and the hydration break, Morocco had 79%. 

Even after the Netherlands took the lead, Morocco eventually reclaimed their dominance. In stoppage time, it was lopsided and it was only because of fantastic saves from Bart Verbruggen and classy emergency defending from Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke that Morocco did not easily win this game in 90 minutes. 

3. Koeman’s Tactical Subs Gave Netherlands A Chance 

While Koeman did not respond to his team’s slow start at halftime, he used the second half hydration break to his full advantage. He made two substitutions in Wout Weghorst and Teun Koopmeiners and opted for a more direct “Route 1” approach. 

That could not have gone any better as it immediately resulted in the Dutch taking a lead. Koeman will get a lot of blame for the team’s elimination and its performance in the game, but his adjustment here gave his team a chance.  

Both Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville were ineffective up to that point, but the direct approach along with the substitutes helped them. On a ball from Verbruggen, Weghorst headed the ball to Summerville with his first touch. Once in the box, he then slid it over to Gakpo for the goal. 

It was a goal that was completely against the run of play up to that point, but it was also the result of a big tactical shift. For better or worse, the hydration break proved to be a key in this game as it gave Koeman time to speak with his players, make changes, and adjust. 

4. Moroccan Desperation Paid Off

On a night when it looked as if Morocco was going to be punished for failing to put away any of its many chances in a dominating performance, desperation kicked in and the Atlas Lions found a way via an unlikely source.

Substitute midfielder Chemsdine Talbi had the ball deep on the left side and central defender Issa Diop made an attacking run up the middle which was risky, but necessary with his team chasing a goal late. It then gave Morocco four targets in the box to go against the four Dutch defenders. 

Talbi then sent a long ball into the box, and with the Dutch defense spread thin, Diop was able to head home the dramatic equalizer. 

As the Moroccan national team has only continued to grow as a world power since its run to the semifinal in 2022, one of the keys to its success is utilizing the large Moroccan communities in France, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium for its players. This goal reflected that. Talbi previously represented Belgium at the youth national teams and Diop, several years ago, played for France. It was only last month when Diop filed his paperwork to switch to Morocco. 

5. Gakpo’s Emotional Moment 

Typically, players try to keep their personal and professional lives separate, but sometimes that is impossible. When Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute, that was one of those moments. Over the weekend, Gakpo announced that he and his partner Noa van der Bij tragically lost their unborn baby, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, during van der Bij’s pregnancy.

When the ball hit the back of the net, Gakpo collapsed with emotion and all of his teammates, including those on the bench, came onto the field to support him.

It was the most human moment at this World Cup, so far, and it was hard to not admire Gakpo’s ability to focus on the game and deliver was a very important goal at the time. 

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