Morocco defeated the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after a 1–1 draw and a 3–2 penalty shootout win. Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands, while Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in stoppage time. The result sent Morocco through to the next round and ended the Netherlands’ tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Morocco beat the Netherlands 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw following extra time.
- Cody Gakpo and Issa Diop scored the goals during normal time.
- The match took place on June 29, 2026, in Mexico, local time.
- The teams have recorded four senior men’s international meetings, including the 2026 World Cup match.
- Their earlier meetings included the 1994 World Cup and two international friendlies.
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Netherlands vs Morocco: Match Result and Final Score
The Netherlands vs Morocco match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered a dramatic finish. Played at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, the Round of 32 encounter ended 1–1 after extra time before Morocco won the penalty shootout 3–2.
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FIFA World Cup • Round of 32Estadio BBVA Bancomer • GuadalupeNetherlands1Full-time (P)Tue, Jun 301MoroccoPenalties: 2-3
The Netherlands appeared to have secured victory when Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute. Morocco kept pushing, however, and Issa Diop equalized in the 90th minute plus stoppage time. Neither side scored again during extra time, so the match went to penalties.
Morocco held their nerve to win the shootout and advance. For the Netherlands, the defeat was a painful end to their World Cup campaign.
Who Scored in the Match?
| Team | Goalscorer | Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Cody Gakpo | 72′ |
| Morocco | Issa Diop | 90+1′ |
The score remained 1–1 after extra time. Morocco then won the shootout 3–2, with Ismael Saibari converting the decisive penalty.
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Netherlands vs Morocco Match Statistics
The match statistics show how the teams approached the game differently. Morocco controlled possession and completed more passes, while the Netherlands created a more direct contest.
| Statistic | Netherlands | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Goals after extra time | 1 | 1 |
| Penalty shootout | 2 | 3 |
| Possession | 29.9% | 70.1% |
| Total shots | 6 | 11 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 5 |
| Corners | 5 | 8 |
| Accurate passes | 292 | 801 |
| Passing accuracy | 78.7% | 91.1% |
Source: Sky Sports match statistics. Penalty scores are separate from the 1–1 match score.
Sky Sports
Morocco had more of the ball and produced more shots on target. The Netherlands were less involved in possession but still took the lead through Gakpo.
The key difference was Morocco’s late response. Diop’s equalizer kept the team alive, and the penalty shootout gave Morocco the opportunity to complete the comeback.
Netherlands vs Morocco Head-to-Head Record
The Netherlands and Morocco have met four times in recorded senior men’s international football, including their 2026 World Cup encounter. The Netherlands won the first and third meetings, Morocco won the second, and Morocco also won the most recent match on penalties after a draw.
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Previous Meetings Between the Teams
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| June 29, 1994 | FIFA World Cup | Morocco 1–2 Netherlands |
| April 28, 1999 | International friendly | Netherlands 1–2 Morocco |
| May 31, 2017 | International friendly | Morocco 1–2 Netherlands |
| June 29, 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Netherlands 1–1 Morocco; Morocco won 3–2 on penalties |
Sources: National Football Teams and Reuters match report. Dates for the 2026 fixture follow the local match date.
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These results show that neither side has dominated every meeting. The Netherlands won the first World Cup encounter in 1994, while Morocco won the 2026 knockout match. Their friendly meetings were also closely contested, with each team recording a 2–1 victory.
The 2026 match was particularly important because it was a knockout fixture. Unlike a friendly, the result determined which team continued in the tournament.
How Morocco Won the Penalty Shootout
Morocco’s victory came down to composure under pressure. After the Netherlands took the lead, Morocco continued searching for an equalizer rather than accepting defeat. Diop’s late header made it 1–1 and forced extra time.
Neither team managed to score again, leaving the outcome to penalties. Morocco eventually won 3–2, with Saibari scoring the decisive kick.
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The result highlighted two important aspects of knockout football:
- Persistence matters: Morocco continued attacking even when time was running out.
- Penalty shootouts reward execution: A team can control parts of a match but still lose when the result depends on a few spot kicks.
For Morocco, the win was another major moment in its World Cup history. For the Netherlands, it was a frustrating elimination after taking the lead late in the second half.
Netherlands vs Morocco: Which Team Has the Better Record?
The answer depends on whether you are comparing historical results, World Cup performances, or the latest head-to-head meeting.
The Netherlands has a strong football tradition in Europe, while Morocco represents African football and competes through the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Netherlands belongs to UEFA.
In their four recorded senior men’s meetings, the teams have each won two matches if the 2026 penalty-shootout victory is counted as a win for Morocco. However, the 2026 game itself officially ended 1–1 after extra time.
| Comparison | Netherlands | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 World Cup meeting | Won 2–1 | Lost 2–1 |
| 2026 World Cup meeting | Lost on penalties | Won on penalties |
| 2026 possession | 29.9% | 70.1% |
| 2026 shots on target | 2 | 5 |
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These figures do not prove that one national team is always stronger than the other. Squad selection, tactics, injuries, and match conditions can change from one tournament to the next.
For readers comparing the teams, the most useful conclusion is that Morocco won their latest encounter and advanced, while the historical meetings remain closely balanced when the shootout result is included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Netherlands vs Morocco in 2026?
Morocco won the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against the Netherlands. The game finished 1–1 after extra time, and Morocco won the penalty shootout 3–2.
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What was the final score of Netherlands vs Morocco?
The match score was 1–1 after extra time. Morocco won 3–2 on penalties. These are separate results, so the match should not be reported as a 3–2 victory in regular play.
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Who scored the goals in Netherlands vs Morocco?
Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute. Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in the 90th minute plus stoppage time. Neither team scored during extra time.
FBref
How many times have the Netherlands and Morocco played each other?
The recorded senior men’s international head-to-head history includes four matches: one in 1994, one in 1999, one in 2017, and one in 2026. The teams have each won two matches when Morocco’s shootout victory in 2026 is counted as a win.
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Did the Netherlands play Morocco in the 1994 World Cup?
Yes. The teams met on June 29, 1994, in the World Cup group stage. The Netherlands defeated Morocco 2–1, with Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy scoring for the Dutch side.
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Conclusion
The Netherlands vs Morocco rivalry produced another memorable World Cup encounter in 2026. The Netherlands took the lead through Cody Gakpo, but Issa Diop’s late equalizer gave Morocco a chance to survive. Morocco then won the penalty shootout 3–2 and advanced to the next round.
Their previous meetings show a competitive history, with victories for both teams. The latest result belongs to Morocco, but future encounters will depend on the players, tactics, and circumstances at the time.
Hi, I’m Sehrish Iqbal, and I enjoy writing about the English language and the little differences between words that often cause confusion. I create simple and easy-to-understand articles about grammar, spelling, commonly confused words, and correct word usage. My goal is to make English easier to understand and help students, writers, and English learners use the right words with confidence.
