Moroccans in cloud 9
Morocco have reached the FIFA World Cup (WC) Round of 16, winning out 3-2 on penalties after holding the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Monterrey.
A determined start from both sides saw tackles flying in during the opening exchanges, with the referee doing well to allow the game to flow, and the Netherlands attempting to play the more expansive football.
Though neither team were close to scoring in the first 15 minutes, both Ismael Saibari and Crysencio Summerville did get in behind the respective opposing back fours, only to see defenders get back and cover. Bart Verbruggen’s point-blank save kept out a bullet header from Neil El Aynaoui before an even better one-handed flying stop saw Achraf Hakimi’s rocket tipped over.
Chances remained at a premium as the half progressed, with the physical nature of the encounter encapsulated by Jan Paul van Hecke’s blood-stained blonde hair after a challenge. The pace of Micky van de Ven at one end and Noussair Mazraoui at the other kept the attacks at bay, and it was the former who came closest to opening the scoring for the Netherlands, when he stung Yassine Bounou’s fingertips with a rising drive as the first half edged to a close. Saibari might also be wondering how he failed to connect to Achraf Hakimi’s stoppage-time free-kick which fizzed in and evaded everyone.
A promising Moroccan move at the start of the second half deserved better than Ayyoub Bouaddi’s lazy finish, but the underdogs continued to create openings. Shortly afterwards, Brahim Díaz was crowded out when well placed, and Hakimi hit the bar with a ferocious shot as Morocco eased through the gears. The Netherlands also needed van de Ven’s pace to save them with Hakimi clean through, but despite an astonishing 84% possession as the hour mark approached, the Atlas Lions still couldn’t get their noses in front.
On 71, they were made to pay as Summerville collected a flick on from substitute Wout Weghorst, before squaring under pressure to Cody Gakpo, and he made no mistake with a low drive despite the close attention of the Moroccan defenders. The latter stages saw Morocco attempt to claw themselves back into the game, and as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, a stunning cross from Chemsdine Talbi was met by Issa Diop and Verbruggen was left clutching at thin air as the ball hit the back of the net. The first period of extra-time was most notable for the save of the tournament from Verbruggen, as he somehow kept out Soufiane Rahimi’s shot from point-blank range. To both sides’ credit, they continued to look for a way to win the game, but with no further goals scored, it would be down to the lottery of penalties to decide the winner.
El Aynaoui’s miss handed the Netherlands an early advantage, but that was quickly wiped out when Justin Kluivert hit the base of the post. Verbruggen looked to have saved Rahimi’s spot-kick before inadvertently knocking the ball over the line as he fell, and after a couple of successful despatches from either side, Quinten Timber dragged his penalty wide. Hakimi, incredibly, hit the post, and when Summerville also missed thanks to Bounou’s one-handed save, it was left to Saibari to send Morocco through. The result means an end to the Netherlands’ recent 11 game unbeaten run in competitive fixtures, whilst Morocco’s third-ever appearance in the knockout stages of a World Cup will continue for at least one more match.
Report by Flashfootball
Flashscore Man of the Match: Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
