MOROCCO produced yet another historic moment at the FIFA World Cup by knocking out European heavyweights the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw, reports Mia Fowler.
Passionate fans from both countries created a superb atmosphere before kick-off, with the Netherlands enjoying possession in the first opening minutes. Ronald Koeman’s side patiently built from the back and created the first opportunities through Crysenscio Summerville and Cody Gakpo, but Morocco remained disciplined in defence as they settled into the game.
Virgil Van Dijk organised the Dutch back line, while Achraf Hakimi looked to be Morocco’s biggest attacking threat whenever he burst down the right.
Crysencio Summerville providing Dutch delight
Despite Dutch control, Morocco gradually grew into the game and finished the opening half strong, dominating possession. There was then a brilliant save from the Dutch goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, who denied a powerful Moroccan header from Issa Diop from a corner. After six minutes of added time, the sides went into the break drawing 0-0.
Morocco returned with new confidence after half-time and dominated large spells of the second half. Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi repeatedly causing problems for the Dutch, while Van Dijk was forced into several important clearances with the help from his Dutch teammates Nathan Ake and Denzel Dumfries.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute. A long ball from the Netherlands goalkeeper, Verbruggen, was flicked onto Summerville into the path of Gakpo, who raced through the penalty box before firing beyond the Moroccan goalkeeper, Bonou, to hand the Netherlands the lead.
Morocco refused to back down and continued to press. Their persistence was rewarded in the first minute of stoppage time when a cross from the right found Diop, who powered a header beyond the hands of the Dutch goalkeeper to send Moroccan supporters into raptures.
The additional 30 minutes were tense. Morocco enjoyed the majority of possession and almost found a winner when Verbruggen produced an outstanding outstretched leg save to deny a goal. Frenkie de Jong then cleared the resulting corner for the Netherlands. At the other end Gakpo and Summerville won dangerous free kicks but Morocco’s defence stood firm and neither sides could find the goal.
The tie was settled from the penalty spot, where fans from both teams waited with bated breath. But Morocco held their nerve, resulting in the Netherlands missing three of their five penalties, while Morocco converted three to secure a famous shootout victory.
Morocco have now booked themselves a spot in the last 16, meeting with co-hosts Canada this Saturday.
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