Morocco beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match went through 90 minutes and extra time without a winner before Morocco took the shootout. The result ended the Netherlands’ tournament in the Round of 32. Morocco will now face Canada on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Match stays level after extra time
Both teams scored once during the match, but neither could find another goal before penalties. The Netherlands had reached the knockout stage after winning Group F, while Morocco qualified from Group C.
The Netherlands began the group stage with a 2-2 draw against Japan. It then beat Sweden 5-1 and Tunisia 3-1 to finish top of the group with seven points. Morocco finished second in Group C behind Brazil. The team beat Scotland 1-0, drew 1-1 with Brazil and then won 4-2 against Haiti to secure a place in the Round of 32.
Morocco win 3-2 in shootout
Morocco converted three penalties in the shootout, while the Netherlands scored twice. The North African side held on to secure a second straight World Cup knockout win.
The result continued Morocco’s record of success in penalty shootouts at major tournaments. The team reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals after beating Spain and Portugal in the knockout stage.
The Netherlands have a long history in World Cup penalty shootouts, including wins against Sweden in 2004 and Costa Rica in 2014. This time, the side failed to convert enough attempts to remain in the tournament.
Netherlands exit after group win
The Netherlands entered the match after a strong group stage. The side scored 10 goals across three matches and conceded four. Morocco had scored six goals in its three group matches. The team’s draw with Brazil and win over Scotland helped it finish ahead of Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
The Round of 32 defeat means the Netherlands will not improve on their quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup. The team had reached three World Cup finals but has never won the tournament.
Morocco face Canada next
Morocco will play Canada in the Round of 16 on July 4. Canada reached this stage after beating South Africa 1-0 in the opening Round of 32 match. The winner will move into a quarter-final on July 9. Paraguay have already taken the other place in that quarter-final bracket after beating Germany on penalties.
Morocco will now prepare for another knockout match after removing the Group F winners. Canada will enter the tie after its first World Cup knockout victory.