Ismael Saibari struck from the penalty spot to fire Morocco into the last 16 and fire the Netherlands into the opener. FIFA World Cup out of recent memory, with the Atlas Lions winning 3-2 after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey on Monday night.With the score at 2-2 after four rounds, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a last-minute effort, diving to his left to block Crysencio Summerville’s effort. That save changed the way for Morocco, and Saibari stepped up to take a powerful shot, putting in a low finish to the left when Bart Verbruggen dived the wrong way. The Netherlands decided to go ahead after Cody Gakpo struck in the 72nd minute, finishing off a timely assist from Summerville. The goal sparked emotional celebrations as the Dutch bench ran onto the pitch, with Gakpo breaking down in tears after recently revealing the death of his unborn child.However, Morocco refused to be denied. In stoppage time, Issa Diop rose to head home Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in the 91st minute, forcing extra time at the Estadio BBVA.Neither side had a chance to score in the extra 30 minutes, setting up a tense shootout between the two top-ranked teams in the tournament – sixth-ranked Morocco and seventh-ranked Netherlands.
The Moroccan team celebrates after winning the 32nd World Cup. (AP Photo)
The result ends the Netherlands’ run of reaching the round of 16 in the last eight World Cups, including a quarter-final appearance four years ago, while Morocco – who reached the semifinals in the previous edition – continues their impressive rise to the world stage.It was also the second shootout of the game, after Paraguay beat Germany earlier in the day.
