Morocco are through to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after knocking out Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey, coming from behind to seal a remarkable 2-3 shootout victory after the match ended 1-1.

The Netherlands took the lead and appeared set to advance, but Morocco fought back to level before the game went to a penalty shootout — where the Dutch fell apart completely, missing three of their spot kicks.

It was a crushing exit for Netherlands, who could not convert when it mattered most. Morocco, by contrast, held their nerve and dispatched their penalties with composure to book a place in the next round.

The Atlas Lions continue to build on the legacy of their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run, when they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. This latest victory confirms that Moroccan football remains a genuine force on the global stage.

For the Dutch, it is a painful end to their tournament — eliminated not by goals, but by a failure from 12 yards. Morocco will now look ahead to the last 16, carrying the hopes of the African continent with them.