The World Cup provided a second miraculous moment on Monday night.
The Netherlands, a favorite to win the tournament after years of making long runs, took the lead late in the match when Cody Gakpo took control of a loose ball in the box and sent it into the back of the net. But the lead didn’t last long, as Morocco’s Issa Diop headed one behind the Dutch goalie in stoppage time.
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Morocco and the Netherlands went to penalties. Morocco’s Ismael Saibari nailed the winning penalty kick to give Morocco the 3-2 win in the stage, advancing the squad to the Round of 16.
“We know when we do everything on the pitch, it’s God that gives something back to us as well,” Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the match. “We give all the energy that we have on the field. Rahimi’s goal could have not been a goal, but it went in thankfully.”
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The Dutch had reached at least the Round of 16 in the last 11 World Cups, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2022 in Qatar. It was the same year Morocco became the first African team to reach the semifinals.
Morocco will play Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on Saturday. Morocco defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
“I think Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now,” Ouahbi said. “I saw (the Netherlands’ style of play) as a form of respect.”
It was the latest surprising knockout of the World Cup.
Paraguay defeated Germany after a controversial call to reverse a German goal late in their match.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
