Morocco are through to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Monterrey.

Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero of the shootout, saving the decisive kick from Crysencio Summerville before Ismail Saibari stepped up to seal a famous victory for the Atlas Lions.

Morocco dominate but fall behind

Morocco were the better side for much of the contest, with Achraf Hakimi a constant menace from right-back. Hakimi came close to opening the scoring in the 52nd minute, but his powerful effort crashed against the crossbar after a slick through ball from Azzedine Ounahi.

The Atlas Lions had also threatened earlier, with Hakimi's 18th-minute corner finding Nael El Aynaoui, whose header Bart Verbruggen brilliantly tipped away. Hakimi himself forced another save from the Dutch goalkeeper moments later.

Against the run of play, the Netherlands took the lead in the 72nd minute. Summerville kept possession under pressure and the ball found Cody Gakpo, who finished first time past Bounou to put the Dutch ahead.

Diop rescues Morocco in stoppage time

Morocco refused to fold. Mohamed Ouahbi introduced a wave of attacking substitutes — Anas Salah-Eddine, Yassine Jassim, Samir El Morabit, Soufiane Rahimi, and Chemseddine Talbi — and the fresh legs transformed the closing stages.

The equaliser arrived in the first minute of stoppage time. Talbi delivered a dangerous cross, and Issa Diop rose above Virgil van Dijk to head firmly into the net. The goal sent the Moroccan players and supporters into raptures, and the Atlas Lions fully deserved it for their tenacity.

Extra time and the shootout

Morocco continued to press in extra time. Rahimi should have won it in the first period — he controlled inside the area, beat his marker, and shot, only for Verbruggen to produce another excellent save. The second period offered fewer chances as fatigue set in, and neither side could find a winner.

In the shootout, El Aynaoui missed Morocco's first kick and Hakimi struck the post with the fourth. But Rahimi, Talbi, and Saibari all converted, while Bounou saved from Justin Kluivert, Jurrien Timber, and Summerville to ensure the Dutch trio's misses went unpunished.

Morocco 3-2 Netherlands (aet) — Saibari's final kick completed one of the Atlas Lions' most dramatic nights.

Africa's hopes ride on Morocco

Morocco had advanced from Group C in second place with seven points, behind Brazil on goal difference. The Netherlands had topped Group F with seven points of their own, but they could not withstand a Moroccan side brimming with belief, discipline, and resilience.

The Atlas Lions now face Canada in the round of 16, after the co-hosts beat South Africa 1-0. Another victory would push Morocco even deeper into the tournament — continuing the remarkable story they began in Qatar in 2022.