Netherlands missed three spot kicks in a single penalty shootout against Morocco, a collapse that sent the Dutch packing from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Cody Gakpo scoring for the Netherlands and Issa Diop equalising. In the shootout, Morocco won 3-2, advancing to the last 16.
The Netherlands took the lead in the 1-1 draw, but Issa Diop cancelled out Cody Gakpo's goal. The penalty shootout saw Morocco convert three of their attempts while the Netherlands missed three, handing Morocco the victory. The Dutch coach Ronald Koeman faced heavy criticism for his defensive tactics, choosing a five-man back line that left his team playing on the break for long periods. Koeman defended his approach, saying “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.” Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi admitted he was surprised by the formation, saying “we were taken aback. When we saw it we knew they wanted to defend in a low block. I saw this type of play as a form of respect.”
“Why Netherlands missed three penalties and crashed out of the 2026 World Cup to Morocco in the round of 32.”
The Netherlands' exit marks a major upset in a World Cup that has already seen Germany knocked out on penalties. The expanded format now includes a round of 32 knockout stage after the group phase, meaning high-stakes matches like this come earlier in the tournament. For the Netherlands, it is a bitter end to a three-and-a-half year tenure for Koeman, who is in his second spell as national team manager.
For UK football fans, the result matters because the Netherlands are one of Europe's traditional powerhouses, and their early exit reshapes the tournament bracket. Penalty shootouts are a defining feature of knockout football, and this match offers a textbook example of how a team can dominate for periods yet lose in the cruelest way. The drama also puts focus on Morocco's potential: Ouahbi's side will face Canada next and could meet France in the quarter-finals, repeating their run to the semi-finals four years ago.
Q: How many penalties did Netherlands miss? Netherlands missed three of their five spot kicks in the shootout, allowing Morocco to win 3-2. The exact sequence of misses is not detailed, but the three failures proved decisive.
Q: Is Ronald Koeman resigning as Netherlands manager? Koeman said he will reflect on his future after the loss but has not resigned. When asked if he had handed in his resignation, he replied: “No, I haven’t... I’m going to reflect on my future... maybe I’ll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning.”
Q: Who will Morocco play in the last 16? Morocco will face Canada in the round of 16. If they win, they are on course to meet France in the quarter-finals, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final which France won.
Koeman's decision is expected soon, with the Dutch football federation likely awaiting his choice. Morocco's match against Canada will determine whether they can emulate their fourth-place finish from Qatar 2022. For the Netherlands, the focus shifts to rebuilding under a potential new coach.