Three missed spot-kicks sent the Netherlands tumbling out of the World Cup in Monterrey, as Morocco came from behind to win a last-32 penalty shootout 3-2 after a 1-1 draw. The Dutch had been leading at the start of added time through Cody Gakpo's goal, but Issa Diop cancelled it out to force penalties.
An embattled Ronald Koeman, in his second spell as Netherlands manager, faced a spiky post-match press conference. Asked if he had already handed in his resignation, he said: “No, I haven’t. I’m going to reflect on my future. This is straight after a game and the disappointment is so fresh in your mind. I’m going to reflect on it and maybe I’ll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning.”
“Netherlands miss three penalties as Morocco come from behind to win 3-2 in shootout and reach last 16.”
Koeman came under fire for selecting a five-man back line and setting up a team that, for long periods, operated on the break. Defiant, he insisted: “You can think whatever you like but we gave away much less against a team that was stronger than [group stage opponents] Sweden and Tunisia. If I had to do it again I’d do it all the same way.”
Mohamed Ouahbi, the Morocco head coach, admitted he had not expected such a defensive posture. “We were taken aback by their formation,” he said. “When we saw it we knew they wanted to defend in a low block. That’s not usually how they play and we had to adapt. I saw this type of play as a form of respect.”
Ouahbi’s team will face Canada next in the last 16, with expectations rising that they can at least emulate their fourth-place finish in Qatar 2022.