Gakpo’s Emotional Goal in Vain as Morocco Defeat Netherlands on Penalties

By Samuel Akpan

Days after sharing the heartbreaking news of losing his unborn son, Cody Gakpo scored what seemed to be a dramatic match-winner for the Netherlands.

To However, Morocco shattered the Dutch hopes with a late equalizer, ultimately triumphing in a penalty shootout in Monterrey to secure their place in the World Cup last 16.

The Liverpool forward had opted to remain with the Dutch squad and feature from the start despite his personal loss, while coach Ronald Koeman deployed a five-man defensive line for the first time in 32 matches in an attempt to neutralize Morocco’s threats.

From the outset the contest was fiercely physical, with running battles between Ismail Saibari and Jan Paul van Hecke, and between Brian Brobbey and Chadi Riad, the Moroccan defender even requiring a fresh shirt following one particularly robust challenge from the Sunderland striker.

Morocco quickly asserted dominance to create the match’s first real openings.

Marking his 100th international appearance, Achraf Hakimi curled a dangerous near-post corner to Neil El Aynaoui, whose goalbound header was sensationally denied by Bart Verbruggen.

The Brighton shot-stopper stood tall again shortly after, batting away a powerful drive from the Moroccan skipper.

The Dutch response finally arrived after 37 minutes, courtesy of a stinging, long-range rocket from Micky van de Ven that Yassine Bounou finger tipped over.

While a brief cooling break temporarily disrupted the tempo, Morocco threatened once more before halftime when Hakimi’s fizzing free-kick just evaded Saibari at the back post.

Resuming after half-time, Hakimi latched onto a through ball from Azzedine Ounahi and struck a powerful shot from an acute angle that rebounded off the crossbar, before van de Ven made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny the skipper in the box; Verbruggen then kept his side level by blocking an inswinging Hakimi corner on the goal line.

The introduction of Wout Weghorst in place of Brobbey on 71 minutes prompted a tactical shift to a back four for the Dutch, and within 51 seconds they were ahead when Weghorst flicked on a long ball from Verbruggen for Crysencio Summerville to burst clear and tee up Gakpo, who slammed home with 18 minutes remaining to spark emotional celebrations.

Morocco continued to press and finally broke through in stoppage time as Issa Diop powered home a header from a curling cross delivered by Chemsdine Talbi on the left, forcing the game into extra time after Verbruggen had been beaten.

Early in the additional half, Verbruggen produced a remarkable save – one of the tournament’s finest – to keep out Soufiane Rahimi after the substitute had weaved his way goalward, but with no further goals the outcome was decided from the penalty spot.

Teun Koopmeiners gave the Netherlands the early advantage in the shootout, yet El Aynaoui hit the crossbar in reply – Justin Kluivert struck the base of the post before Rahimi squeezed his kick past Verbruggen to make it 1-1, with Weghorst then restoring the lead via the top corner and Talbi equalizing once more.

Quinten Timber scuffed a weak effort wide to hand Morocco hope, but Hakimi could not capitalize as he crashed his penalty against the upright; the decisive moment arrived when Bounou dived right to save from Summerville, allowing Ismail Saibari to send Verbruggen the wrong way and find the bottom corner for a 3-2 win.

The victory books Morocco a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday at 18:00 BST and underlines their growing status as genuine contenders in this expanded World Cup, having shown resilience and quality to overcome a resilient Dutch side inspired by Gakpo’s moment of personal triumph amid tragedy.