Mexico City, June 30 (SANA) Morocco booked their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 1-1 draw after extra time in their round-of-32 clash in Mexico.
The Netherlands looked set to advance after Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, but Morocco struck deep into stoppage time when Issa Diop headed home in the 91st minute to force extra time.
Neither side could find a breakthrough during the additional 30 minutes, sending the contest to a penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as Morocco’s hero, producing a decisive save to deny Crysencio Summerville before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the winning penalty to send the North Africans through to the knockout stage.
Morocco advanced after an unbeaten group-stage campaign that included a 1-1 draw with Brazil, a 1-0 victory over Scotland and a 4-2 win over Haiti.
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