The Netherlands joined four-time champions Germany out of the FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to advance to the last 16 after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time. The Germans had earlier bowed out on similar fashion to Paraguay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The victory sends Morocco into a last 16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil al-Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goalwards only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fierce nature of the contest was on full display midway through the half when Saibari was lucky to escape sanction after elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dutch continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to convert it into goalscoring chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their best effort came on 44 minutes when Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven uncorked a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over by Bounou.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Hecke continued to find himself in the thick of the action, and after bloodying his head in a collision in the penalty area, made his presence felt with a crunching tackle that upended el-Aynaoui just before half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the half ended Saibari just failed to connect with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before going behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The drama continued into an end-to-end second half, but appeared to have tilted in the Netherlands’ favour when coach Ronald Koeman brought on forward Wout Weghorst in a flurry of substitutions after the hydration break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weghorst made an immediate impact flicking on a long ball to send Summerville bearing in on goal. Summerville crossed to Cody Gakpo, who hurled himself at the ball to score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Netherlands, superbly marshalled by Gakpo’s Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, appeared to be heading for victory but Issa Diop’s late header sent it to extra-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morocco looked to have made the breakthrough when Soufiane Rahimi went through on goal in the 96th minute, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Verbruggen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Netherlands held on for penalties but despite Morocco missing their first when El-Aynaoui hit the bar, the north Africans recovered to win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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