Morocco defeated The Netherlands 3-2 on penalties to book a Round Of 16 spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup early Tuesday 30th June.

Before the penalty shootouts, the African champions, Morocco had scored a last minute goal to level scores 1-1 against The Netherlands and thus revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in a grand style.

The match, which ended 1-1 at regulation time went into the extra time.

The first 15 minutes of the extra time ended without any goal from either side, though the African side made some dangerous incursions into the defence of The Netherlands.

The second half of the extra time still did not produce any goal, leading the Moroccans to excel during the penalty kicks.

Liverpool of England’s star Cody Gakpo had scored a second half goal to give European giants The Netherlands a deserved lead but, Morocco, the only African side to reach a World Cup semifinal in the FIFA world Cup, bounced back to level scores in the 90th minute of the dramatic match played at Monterrey Stadium, Mexico.

Defender Issa Diop scored the decisive goal with his head for Morocco to extend the match into the extra time, which ended in favour of Morocco.

Meanwhile The Netherlands have reached the final on three occasions but are yet to lift FIFA’s global showpiece.

Morocco became only the fourth African side to reach a World Cup quarterfinal in 2022, then went one better before losing to France in the semifinals.

Brazil beat Japan earlier on Day 19 of the World Cup, while Germany were shocked by Paraguay in the middle game of the day.