Netherlands player ratings vs Morocco: Ismael Saibari seals Dutch penalty collapse as Ronald Koeman’s cautious tactics backfire in World Cup defeat
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The Netherlands were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco following a 1-1 draw. Despite a goal from Cody Gakpo, the Dutch side struggled to maintain control, eventually conceding an equalizer and losing on spot-kicks.
Why it matters
The exit of a major footballing nation like the Netherlands marks a significant upset in the tournament bracket.
The Netherlands are out, and in brutal fashion. Ronald Koeman’s side looked minutes away from surviving an underwhelming knockout performance after Cody Gakpo’s 72nd-minute goal, only for Issa Diop to force extra time with a stoppage-time header before Morocco won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The article provides a play-by-play analysis of the match performance without partisan bias.
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