Morocco Eliminate Netherlands in Penalty Shootout at World Cup Round of 32

GUADALUPE, Mexico — Morocco ended the Netherlands' World Cup campaign on Monday night, prevailing 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams finished level at 1-1 through regulation and extra time.

Ismael Saibari converted the winning kick with the contest tied at two apiece through four rounds. Moments before, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou had denied Crysencio Summerville, pushing the attempt away with his left hand. Saibari drilled his effort into the lower left corner while Bart Verbruggen dived the other way.

The defeat brought the Netherlands their earliest World Cup exit. The Dutch had reached at least the round of 16 in 11 previous tournaments, including a quarter-final appearance four years ago—the same edition in which Morocco advanced to the semi-finals.

Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute, finishing after an assist from Summerville. Members of the Dutch bench rushed onto the pitch to embrace the 27-year-old Gakpo, who broke down in tears. Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, had recently announced that they lost their unborn child.

Morocco drew level in the 91st minute when Issa Diop headed in a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi. Neither side created a clear scoring chance during 30 minutes of extra time at Estadio BBVA.

It was the second match of the day to be decided from the spot, after Paraguay had earlier beaten Germany on penalties. The fixture carried the highest combined ranking of any Round of 32 tie, with Morocco ranked sixth in the world and the Netherlands seventh.