Morocco secured a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, knocking out the 2018 World Cup third-place finishers. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco advancing to the next round.
Key Performances from Hakimi, Aynaoui, and Saibari
Achraf Hakimi, Neil El Aynaoui, and Ismael Saibari delivered standout performances for Morocco. According to Opta Analyst, Aynaoui completed 134 passes against the Netherlands, the second-highest in the tournament behind Leandro Paredes of Argentina (153 passes against Jordan). Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain star, recorded five touches in the opposition's box during the game, tying with Saibari for the most by a Moroccan player in a FIFA World Cup match. Hakimi's total of 30 touches in the box during the tournament is the highest by any Moroccan player.
Saibari's Historic Goalscoring Feat
Ismael Saibari became the first African player to score in each of his team's three group stage matches in a World Cup. He also became the first African to score three goals in a single World Cup since Asamoah Gyan did so for Ghana in 2010. Saibari converted the decisive penalty in the shootout, continuing his memorable tournament with goals against heavyweights like Brazil and the Netherlands.
Match Summary: Netherlands vs Morocco
The first half was tightly contested with few clear chances. The Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo. Morocco responded dramatically in stoppage time: in the 91st minute, Chemsdine Talbi delivered a cross into the penalty area, and Issa Diop powered a header past the goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, leading to penalties.
Penalty Shootout Drama
The shootout was tense, with both teams missing two penalties each. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, known for his penalty-saving skills, correctly dived to deny Crysencio Summerville. With the scores level, Saibari calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal a 3-2 shootout victory, sparking celebrations among Moroccan players and fans.
