Dubai Ruler praises Atlas Lions after dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands.
Dubai: Morocco’s World Cup journey is far from over. After one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, congratulations poured in from across the region — including from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In a post on X, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the Atlas Lions after they secured a place in the Round of 16, marking another memorable night for Moroccan football.
It was anything but straightforward.
For much of the second half, the Netherlands looked in control. Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, and the Dutch appeared to be closing in on qualification. Then the match turned. Deep into stoppage time, Morocco equalised through Issa Diop, forcing extra time and eventually a penalty shootout.
That’s where Yassine Bounou stepped up again.
The Moroccan goalkeeper saved Crysencio Summerville’s penalty, before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the decisive spot-kick to secure a 3-2 shootout win after the teams were level at 1-1.
The result sends Morocco into the Round of 16, where they will face Canada. It also marks a shock early exit for the Netherlands, their earliest World Cup departure in decades.
