World Cup: Morocco beat Netherlands, Germany crash out 

Morocco has advanced into the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands at the Monterrey stadium in Mexico. The North Africans came from a goal down to hold Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in a match the Atlas Lions were superior to their European opponents. […]

Morocco has advanced into the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands at the Monterrey stadium in Mexico.

The North Africans came from a goal down to hold Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in a match the Atlas Lions were superior to their European opponents. Cody Gakpo scored an emotional goal for his country days after losing his unborn child, but Issa Diop scuttled the Dutch celebrations in added time to force extra-time and penalties.

Netherlands started as the better side but Morocco took control of the match as the first half wore on and created chances they did not convert, including Achraf Hakimi hitting the bar as both sides went into the break goalless.

Netherlands made two changes including lanky forward Wout Weghurst who started the move that ended with Gakpo slotting into the back of the net for 1-0.

Morocco continued to put Ronald Koeman’s men on the back foot and eventually restored parity in the first minute of added time through defender Diop’s header. Morocco became the first African nation to force extra-time with an injury time goal in the World Cup.

Rahimi had the chance to seal the win in injury time but was superbly denied by a brilliant Bart Verbruggen save, and both sides settled for the lottery of penalty shootout.

Netherlands missed three spotkicks, failing to hit the target twice and Yassine Bounou saved one with his unorthodox movement on the line, before striker Ismael Saibari netted the winning penalty to send Morocco through 3-2 on penalties despite Neil El Aynaoui and Hakimi missing their kicks.

They also become only the third African nation to reach consecutive World Cup round of 16 stages, joining Nigeria (1994, 1998) and Ghana (2006, 2010) respectively.

Morocco will face co-hosts Canada, South Africa’s conquerors, in the round of 16 on July 4 at the Houston stadium.

Earlier, Germany failed to reach the round of 16 stage in three successive World Cup following defeat at the hands of Paraguay, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 scoreline.

Julio Enciso put Paraguay in front before halftime but Kai Havertz equalized early in the second half. Paraguay will meet either France or Sweden in the last-eight stage.