Morocco overcame the Netherlands in Monterrey in the round of 32, scoring a last-gasp equaliser in normal-time before overcoming Oranje in a penalty shoot-out.

Cody Gakpo had given the Dutch the lead, but a late header from Issa Diop took the game into extra-time and eventually penalties, where the African outfit came out on top.

From the off, the game had a real edge to it, with both teams battling for superiority. The Netherlands had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Morocco who came closest to breaking the deadlock prior to the first hydration break.

Bart Verbruggen was on hand twice in quick succession to keep the Atlas Lions at bay. First, he was able to stop a close-range header for Bilal El Khannous, before getting up well to push a rasping Achraf Hakimi header over the bar.

While the Dutch dominated the ball for the remainder of the half, their only real sight of goal came via a powerful Micky van de Ven effort, but keeper Yassine Bounou acrobatically tipped it over the bar.

Hakimi came close to breaking the deadlock in the early stages of the second half as he found himself in space on the right side of the Dutch box. A fierce shot from an acute angle cannoned off the crossbar however.

When the breakthrough came, it came in favour of the Netherlands. Wout Weghorst with his first touch after coming on off the bench released Crysencio Summerville with a header.

The winger was brought down on the edge of the box but instinctively prodded the ball to Cody Gakpo who raced onto the free ball and blasted home in what has been a highly emotional week.

With time ticking away, Morocco found their moment. Issa Diop, playing as an auxiliary striker, met an inch-perfect cross from another substitute Chemsdine Talbi and headed past Verbruggen to take the game into extra-time.

And six minutes into the extra period, Morocco looked for all the world like they’d taken the lead. Saibari slipped a pass through to Soufiane Rahimi, who sat a defender down and looked certain to score only for a world-class save from Verbruggen to deny him. That was the only major chance of note in extra-time however and penalties were on the agenda.

In one of the lower-quality penalty shoot-outs you’re likely to see at the World Cup, even dependable takers such as Hakimi and Justin Kluivert failed to convert. Eventually, Saibari was the man to convert the winning penalty to send the Dutch home.

Netherlands vs Morocco result, highlights & stats

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