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Morocco eliminated the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout that saw five of eight spot-kicks missed.
The Atlas Lions won 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following 120 minutes. The victory sends Morocco through to face Canada in the Round of 16.
Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute with an emotional goal. The 27-year-old broke down in tears after scoring, having recently announced that he and his partner lost their unborn child. The Dutch bench ran onto the field to embrace him.
Morocco equalised in the first minute of stoppage time. Chemsdine Talbi delivered a long cross, and Issa Diop rose to head past Bart Verbruggen, forcing extra time.
The shootout was chaotic. Five penalties were missed from eight attempts
The Netherlands have now lost seven of their eight major tournament penalty shootouts. Their only win came in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals against Costa Rica, when they subbed in a goalkeeper specifically for the spot kicks.
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman admitted before the match that his team was concerned about facing Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, known as “Bono”: “We lost our last two shootouts. If it comes to that stage, we’ll try to win it. We train for penalty shootouts regularly and give them special attention in practice.”
The preparation was not enough. Three missed penalties in a single shootout ended the Netherlands’ campaign.
