One of the dark horses of World Cup 2026, the Netherlands, have crashed out at the first knockout hurdle. In a grueling encounter against Morocco, the Oranje surrendered a late lead in normal time before enduring a nightmare from the penalty spot.

The Dutch coaching staff turned heads before kick-off by restructuring their defensive line into a back-three system, which saw Nathan Aké pushed into midfield at the expense of Tijjani Reijnders. This tactical adjustment severely disrupted the team's balance, causing the Netherlands to completely lose control of the midfield during a first half marred by frequent turnovers in transition.

Morocco capitalized on this territorial dominance, carving out several clear-cut opportunities. Only the heroics of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept the European side level at the break, with the shot-stopper producing magnificent saves to deny a powerful Bilal El Khannouss header and a fierce, driving effort from Achraf Hakimi.

The North African side's dominance became overwhelming after the interval, with Dutch possession at one stage plummeting to just 21 per cent. Hakimi rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, before a goal-saving, last-ditch tackle from Micky van de Ven rescued Ronald Koeman’s side from falling behind.

The momentum shifted momentarily following a mid-half cooling break, which allowed Koeman to introduce Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst. The tactical shift paid immediate dividends; Weghorst won a crucial aerial duel, Crysencio Summerville hooked the ball forward while falling, and Cody Gakpo clinically converted to open the scoring. However, the Oranje failed to see the game out. In the first minute of stoppage time, Moroccan centre-back Issam Chebake rose highest to head home a dramatic equaliser and send the tie into extra time.

Morocco had a golden opportunity to win the match in the added 30 minutes, but Verbruggen produced yet another world-class save to deny Soufiane Rahimi. With the sides inseparable at 1-1, a penalty shootout was required to decide who would progress to the Round of 16.

Koopmeiners confidently converted the opening spot-kick, but that was as good as it got for the Dutch. Justin Kluivert struck the woodwork, before Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville both missed their subsequent efforts. Despite a few nervous moments from Morocco, Ismael Saibari stepped up to convert the decisive penalty and seal a historic victory.

The Netherlands exit World Cup 2026 at the first hurdle, while Morocco advance to face Canada in the next round.

World Cup 2026

Netherlands - Morocco 1:1 (0:0), shoot-out 2:3
Goals: Gakpo, 72 (1:0); Diop I., 90 (1:1)

Netherlands: Verbruggen; van Hecke; van Dijk; Ake (Koopmeiners T., 71); van de Ven (Hato, 86); Dumfries; de Jong F. (de Roon, 110); Gravenberch R. (Timber Q., 86); Gakpo (Kluivert, 113); Brobbey (Weghorst, 71); Summerville
Substitution: Koopmeiners T. (from 71); Weghorst (from 71); Hato (from 86); Timber Q. (from 86); de Roon (from 110); Kluivert (from 113)
Bench: Roefs; Flekken; Geertruida; Wieffer; Reijnders; Til G.; Depay; Lang N.; Malen

Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi; Riad Chadi (Salah-Eddine, 75); Diop I.; Mazraoui; Bouaddi (El Mourabet, 79); Ounahi A. (Rahimi S., 86); El Aynaoui; Diaz Br. (Yassine, 79); Saibari; El Khannouss (Talbi, 87)
Substitution: Salah-Eddine (from 75); El Mourabet (from 79); Yassine (from 79); Rahimi S. (from 86); Talbi (from 87)
Bench: Munir; Tagnaouti; El Ouahdi; Halhal; Belammari Youssef; Saadane; Amrabat S.; Amaimouni-Echghouyab; Sbaï; El Kaabi
Yellow Cards: Diop I. 47