Morocco secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in Monterrey, Mexico.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
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Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute. He capitalized on a combination play between Crysencio Summerville and Wout Weghorst.
Morocco responded during stoppage time. Substitute Chemsdine Talbi delivered a cross that Issa Diop headed into the net to force extra time.
Following a scoreless 30 minutes of extra time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Both sides traded misses.
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Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst converted their penalties for the Netherlands. Morocco's Neil El Aynaoui hit the crossbar and Achraf Hakimi hit the post.
The shootout concluded in the fifth round after Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Summerville's attempt. Ismael Saibari then scored the decisive penalty to seal the win for Morocco.
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Morocco will face co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on Saturday.
