GUADALUPE, Mexico Morocco advanced to the World Cup round of 16 after beating the Netherlands on penalties following a 1-1 draw Monday night. Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick after Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville’s attempt, sending last year’s semifinalists through and Ronald Koeman’s Dutch side home at the earliest stage in Netherlands World Cup history.
Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute with an assist from Summerville, sparking emotional celebrations on the Dutch bench. Morocco equalized deep into stoppage time when Issa Diop nodded in a Chemsdine Talbi cross in the 91st minute. Extra time produced few clear chances, though Soufiane Rahimi forced a fine save from Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the 97th minute.
In the shootout, both teams were level after four rounds before Bounou’s critical save set up Saibari’s winning penalty into the low left corner. Morocco will face Canada in the round of 16 on Saturday in Houston.
The result was one of two penalty-shootout decisions on the day; Paraguay later beat Germany in Boston. Morocco (ranked sixth) and the Netherlands (seventh) entered the match as two of the tournament’s highest-ranked teams, but only Morocco moved on. The Netherlands had reached at least the round of 16 in every previous World Cup appearance until this early exit.
