Morocco vs Netherlands was certainly one of the most tense shootouts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the victory came as a surprise, resurgence and comeback for the Maghreb country, who had been reduced to just 10 men at half-time.Morocco vs Netherlands was an exciting penalty shootout from the FIFA World Cup, especially its comeback, its resurgences and the surprise win for the Maghreb one hit wonder who had 10 men at half time of murder.
The result of another memorable episode in Morocco’s politics as players struck their emotions in their alcoholeraft embracing the Dutch stamp of a win. Cody Gakpo looked poised to become the hero on the night as he found the back of the net late in the second half, days into the devastating news of losing his unborn baby. It was his goal that caused emotional celebrations for the Dutch players, but Morocco didn’t forfeit. Issa Diop’s equaliser at the death was enough to force further time before the Atlas Lions rallied to the penalty box to add a Canada would-be moment before a 3-2 shootout gave them a round of 16 berth against the hosts in Houston.
Once the game went head to head both teams played with great vigour from the opening whistle onwards and on all parts of the pitch. It was surprising to see Ronald Koeman opt for a back five for the first time in 32 games, to try to slow down Morocco’s powerful attacking rhythm. But relatively rapidly Morocco’s rhythm was grounded and it started dominating possession. With French midfielder Achraf Hakimi celebrating his 100th international appearances, the majority of risky feints were his. Neil El Aynaoui had an opportunity to get the ball racing for the Emirates from the corner but shot it’s way wide of Bart Verbruggen. But Moments later Hakimi blasted his long range effort into the teeth of the excellent Dutch goal. Even though Morocco were the stronger side, Verbruggen was making a wonderful save at an important moment to keep his side in the game before the break, as the Netherlands were finding it difficult to set up any scoring chances.
Morocco upped the ante after the break and were looking to even up the score. Hakimi hammered the crossbar from close quarters after being funnelled by Azzedine Ounahi and Micky van de Ven made just a last chance tackle to deny the Moroccan forward in the box. Rounding the ball off again with another superb save, Verbruggen foiled an inswinging corner from crossing the line. Frustrated by their lack of attack and wanting more of that, Koeman opted to replace Wijnalds with Wout Weghorst and switch to a four-man backline.
The approach was both tactical and immediate success. On the 51st second on the field, Weghorst was welcome when he waved Verbruggen’s long ball to Crysencio Summerville’s brilliant delivery for Cody Gakpo. The Liverpool striker could not have made a more daring shot, his cross landing straight away for Yassine Bounou which gave the Netherlands a priceless 18-minute lead. The target meant so much, Gakpo was hugged by his fellow players in a heartwarming moment.
Yet Morocco vs Netherlands was to have one more nail on the coffin. Morocco were unimpressed with Manzoki’s idea and persisted in their attack strategy. Their strength eventually prevailed in the last moments of stoppage time, when Chemsdine Talbi rolled in a cross, which Issa Diop powered upverbruggen. The equaliser engendered frenzied emotion from Moroccans and was a surprise for the Dutch bench. Their lead was almost recovered shortly afterward with Noussair Mazraoui stopping Summerville along his path to the break. There was some extra time after that, and both the teams were flayed but determined. But Verbruggen again demonstrated his importance to the team as he made one of the saves of the tournament to deny Soufiane Rahimi on a beautifully run solo effort. They had not been able to get any further and penalties would be the final complicating factor.
The shootout provided 100% of football’s feelings. The crossbar was hit by El Aynaoui in the opening penalty, but Teun Koopmeiners calmly made a decent conversion. Then Justin Kluivert, who has made his international debut, got the ball into the net again, this time the post-man Rahimi’s attempt having curled under the farpost of Verbruggen. Then Weghorst came through in majestic style as Talbi answered right away for Morocco.
It went all the way when Quinten Timber sent his penalty over the bar. Hakimi got to her feet but struck the same post Kluivert picked up, prolonging the drama. The opportunity was then dripped into Bounou’s path who had the larva produced by Crysencio Summerville brilliantly saved, with Ismail Saibari remaining the man with the last kick. Composing himself, Saibari played the player straight before getting to bottom corner for a great Moroccan wining success. Morocco’s resilience, tactical greatness and confidence were once again to be blamed for even being here, as the Netherlands found themselves wanting to know how a game that was all but certain to be theirs was lost in the final moments.
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