Netherlands follows Germany out as Morocco wins penalty shootout in emotional World Cup last-16 clash
The Netherlands became the second European powerhouse to exit the 2026 World Cup early, losing to Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey. Cody Gakpo's emotional goal was not enough to prevent Oranje's elimination.
Gakpo's emotional goal not enough for Netherlands
Cody Gakpo, who days earlier announced the loss of his unborn son with his partner Noa van der Bij, chose to stay with the squad. His 72nd-minute strike in Monterrey sent the Dutch ahead and seemed to book a place in the quarterfinals. The Liverpool forward collapsed in tears after scoring, his teammates forming a tight huddle around him.
Gakpo pointed to the sky as he rose, his shirt pulled over his face.It was very sad news. We did what we could to support him.
Diop's late equalizer and extra time
Morocco pushed forward desperately as stoppage time began. Issa Diop headed home from a corner in the first minute of added time, leveling the match at 1-1 and rescuing the African champions. The sides could not break through over the following 30 minutes of extra time. Both defences held firm, sending the tie to a penalty shootout.
Morocco wins the shootout
Ismael Saibari converted the decisive penalty for Morocco, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory in front of 51,243 spectators. Morocco's triumph echoed the team's historic run to the 2022 semifinal in Qatar. The Netherlands, who had switched to a 3-5-2 formation under coach Ronald Koeman, dominated possession but found few clear chances in a tense atmosphere.
What comes next
Morocco will now face co-host Canada on Saturday in Houston, with a quarterfinal berth at stake. The Netherlands joins Germany as a major European nation exiting the tournament in the round of 16. Several Moroccan players, including Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine and Sofyan Amrabat, were born in the Netherlands, adding further layers to the encounter.
