by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Netherlands 1 - 1 Morocco
Gakpo (72’) | Diop (90’+1) - Morocco win 3-2 on penalties
Netherlands and Morocco played out an pulsating, hugely entertaining, at times physical match that threatened to boil over, with extra time and penalties required to edge Morocco into the last 16.
At times, Morocco dominated the game. At others, the Netherlands looked to have the upper hand in what was one of the games of the tournament so far, in a meeting of two of the most attacking sides on offer.
There were some extremely heavy challenges in the game that surprisingly yielded just one yellow card as the referee tried to let the game flow. Jan Paul van Hecke and Ismail Saibari in particular seemed to be having a great personal battle.
Morocco started to find a way into the game, as Verbuggen was forced into a succession of very good saves as the African nation flooded forwards. Down the other end, Bounou in the Morocco goal made a wonderful save to tip over a hammered strike from Micky van der Ven.
Then in the 52nd minute, Achrad Hakimi slammed a shot against the crossbar, with it looking like the keeper was beaten.
Just as it looked like Morocco were fully on top, a massive moment came for the Netherlands that was also a hugely personally emotional moment for Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute.
Wout Weghorst, just brought on by his manager, flicked on a header in the midfield for the direct run of Summerville, who was bundled over, but in the process managed to hook a cross to Gakpo who slammed it home.
Gakpo, who had endured some tragic personal news this week after the loss of his unborn son, had almost left the Netherlands camp. But you could see how much that goal meant to him. And it meant a lot to the Netherlands, too.
That goal set up a tense climax, where Morocco continued to push high and Netherlands sat back to protect their lead, with Weghorst the aerial outlet on the counter and Dumfries and Gakpo out wide.
And then, absolute mayhem. In the 90th minute, Issa Diop connected with a beautiful cross centrally and headed it home after beating the otherwise excellent Virgil van Dijk in the air to make it 1-1 and take the game to extra time.
An absolutely unbelievable save kept Morocco at bay in extra time, as Rahimi found himself bearing down on goal, only for Verbruggen to make an incredible save with his leg to prevent the inevitable goal. Save of the tournament.
Extra time continued at a high tempo, but neither side was able to find the key to unlocking the others’ defence, despite a late Summerville charge that was intercepted by Morocco, and the referee blew to take it to penalties where once again the spot kick lottery would decide a place in the last 16.
In the shootout, Koopmeiners scored for Netherlands, only for Al Aynaoui to smash one off the bar, and Kluivert to clatter one off the upright.
Rahimi then took one that JUST crept in under the keeper, by the tiniest of margins, and Weghorst then converted his for Netherlands. Another excellent penalty from Talbi made it 2-2.
Quinten Timber then dragged his penalty horrifically wide of the left post only for Hakimi to reply by smashing the post again. Tit for tat. Summerville then stepped up but his effort was at Bounou’s head height, who saved it from a standing position.
It was all down to Saibari, then, to step up and try to fire Morocco to the last 16. He smashed it into the bottom corner to send the fans into absolute delirium.
What a game. Morocco will face Canada in the last 16.
8 min read
Netherlands 1 - 1 Morocco
Gakpo (72’) | Diop (90’+1) - Morocco win 3-2 on penalties
Netherlands and Morocco played out an pulsating, hugely entertaining, at times physical match that threatened to boil over, with extra time and penalties required to edge Morocco into the last 16.
At times, Morocco dominated the game. At others, the Netherlands looked to have the upper hand in what was one of the games of the tournament so far, in a meeting of two of the most attacking sides on offer.
There were some extremely heavy challenges in the game that surprisingly yielded just one yellow card as the referee tried to let the game flow. Jan Paul van Hecke and Ismail Saibari in particular seemed to be having a great personal battle.
Morocco started to find a way into the game, as Verbuggen was forced into a succession of very good saves as the African nation flooded forwards. Down the other end, Bounou in the Morocco goal made a wonderful save to tip over a hammered strike from Micky van der Ven.
Then in the 52nd minute, Achrad Hakimi slammed a shot against the crossbar, with it looking like the keeper was beaten.
Just as it looked like Morocco were fully on top, a massive moment came for the Netherlands that was also a hugely personally emotional moment for Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute.
Wout Weghorst, just brought on by his manager, flicked on a header in the midfield for the direct run of Summerville, who was bundled over, but in the process managed to hook a cross to Gakpo who slammed it home.
Gakpo, who had endured some tragic personal news this week after the loss of his unborn son, had almost left the Netherlands camp. But you could see how much that goal meant to him. And it meant a lot to the Netherlands, too.
That goal set up a tense climax, where Morocco continued to push high and Netherlands sat back to protect their lead, with Weghorst the aerial outlet on the counter and Dumfries and Gakpo out wide.
And then, absolute mayhem. In the 90th minute, Issa Diop connected with a beautiful cross centrally and headed it home after beating the otherwise excellent Virgil van Dijk in the air to make it 1-1 and take the game to extra time.
An absolutely unbelievable save kept Morocco at bay in extra time, as Rahimi found himself bearing down on goal, only for Verbruggen to make an incredible save with his leg to prevent the inevitable goal. Save of the tournament.
Extra time continued at a high tempo, but neither side was able to find the key to unlocking the others’ defence, despite a late Summerville charge that was intercepted by Morocco, and the referee blew to take it to penalties where once again the spot kick lottery would decide a place in the last 16.
In the shootout, Koopmeiners scored for Netherlands, only for Al Aynaoui to smash one off the bar, and Kluivert to clatter one off the upright.
Rahimi then took one that JUST crept in under the keeper, by the tiniest of margins, and Weghorst then converted his for Netherlands. Another excellent penalty from Talbi made it 2-2.
Quinten Timber then dragged his penalty horrifically wide of the left post only for Hakimi to reply by smashing the post again. Tit for tat. Summerville then stepped up but his effort was at Bounou’s head height, who saved it from a standing position.
It was all down to Saibari, then, to step up and try to fire Morocco to the last 16. He smashed it into the bottom corner to send the fans into absolute delirium.
What a game. Morocco will face Canada in the last 16.
Last 32: Morocco edge Netherlands in frantic battle
van Damn
Original article:
Netherlands 1 - 1 Morocco
Gakpo (72’) | Diop (90’+1) - Morocco win 3-2 on penalties
Netherlands and Morocco played out an pulsating, hugely entertaining, at times physical match that threatened to boil over, with extra time and penalties required to edge Morocco into the last 16.
At times, Morocco dominated the game. At others, the Netherlands looked to have the upper hand in what was one of the games of the tournament so far, in a meeting of two of the most attacking sides on offer.
There were some extremely heavy challenges in the game that surprisingly yielded just one yellow card as the referee tried to let the game flow. Jan Paul van Hecke and Ismail Saibari in particular seemed to be having a great personal battle.
Morocco started to find a way into the game, as Verbuggen was forced into a succession of very good saves as the African nation flooded forwards. Down the other end, Bounou in the Morocco goal made a wonderful save to tip over a hammered strike from Micky van der Ven.
Then in the 52nd minute, Achrad Hakimi slammed a shot against the crossbar, with it looking like the keeper was beaten.
Just as it looked like Morocco were fully on top, a massive moment came for the Netherlands that was also a hugely personally emotional moment for Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute.
Wout Weghorst, just brought on by his manager, flicked on a header in the midfield for the direct run of Summerville, who was bundled over, but in the process managed to hook a cross to Gakpo who slammed it home.
Gakpo, who had endured some tragic personal news this week after the loss of his unborn son, had almost left the Netherlands camp. But you could see how much that goal meant to him. And it meant a lot to the Netherlands, too.
That goal set up a tense climax, where Morocco continued to push high and Netherlands sat back to protect their lead, with Weghorst the aerial outlet on the counter and Dumfries and Gakpo out wide.
And then, absolute mayhem. In the 90th minute, Issa Diop connected with a beautiful cross centrally and headed it home after beating the otherwise excellent Virgil van Dijk in the air to make it 1-1 and take the game to extra time.
An absolutely unbelievable save kept Morocco at bay in extra time, as Rahimi found himself bearing down on goal, only for Verbruggen to make an incredible save with his leg to prevent the inevitable goal. Save of the tournament.
Extra time continued at a high tempo, but neither side was able to find the key to unlocking the others’ defence, despite a late Summerville charge that was intercepted by Morocco, and the referee blew to take it to penalties where once again the spot kick lottery would decide a place in the last 16.
In the shootout, Koopmeiners scored for Netherlands, only for Al Aynaoui to smash one off the bar, and Kluivert to clatter one off the upright.
Rahimi then took one that JUST crept in under the keeper, by the tiniest of margins, and Weghorst then converted his for Netherlands. Another excellent penalty from Talbi made it 2-2.
Quinten Timber then dragged his penalty horrifically wide of the left post only for Hakimi to reply by smashing the post again. Tit for tat. Summerville then stepped up but his effort was at Bounou’s head height, who saved it from a standing position.
It was all down to Saibari, then, to step up and try to fire Morocco to the last 16. He smashed it into the bottom corner to send the fans into absolute delirium.
What a game. Morocco will face Canada in the last 16.
8 min read
Last 32: Morocco edge Netherlands in frantic battle
van Damn
Netherlands 1 - 1 Morocco
Gakpo (72’) | Diop (90’+1) - Morocco win 3-2 on penalties
Netherlands and Morocco played out an pulsating, hugely entertaining, at times physical match that threatened to boil over, with extra time and penalties required to edge Morocco into the last 16.
At times, Morocco dominated the game. At others, the Netherlands looked to have the upper hand in what was one of the games of the tournament so far, in a meeting of two of the most attacking sides on offer.
There were some extremely heavy challenges in the game that surprisingly yielded just one yellow card as the referee tried to let the game flow. Jan Paul van Hecke and Ismail Saibari in particular seemed to be having a great personal battle.
Morocco started to find a way into the game, as Verbuggen was forced into a succession of very good saves as the African nation flooded forwards. Down the other end, Bounou in the Morocco goal made a wonderful save to tip over a hammered strike from Micky van der Ven.
Then in the 52nd minute, Achrad Hakimi slammed a shot against the crossbar, with it looking like the keeper was beaten.
Just as it looked like Morocco were fully on top, a massive moment came for the Netherlands that was also a hugely personally emotional moment for Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute.
Wout Weghorst, just brought on by his manager, flicked on a header in the midfield for the direct run of Summerville, who was bundled over, but in the process managed to hook a cross to Gakpo who slammed it home.
Gakpo, who had endured some tragic personal news this week after the loss of his unborn son, had almost left the Netherlands camp. But you could see how much that goal meant to him. And it meant a lot to the Netherlands, too.
That goal set up a tense climax, where Morocco continued to push high and Netherlands sat back to protect their lead, with Weghorst the aerial outlet on the counter and Dumfries and Gakpo out wide.
And then, absolute mayhem. In the 90th minute, Issa Diop connected with a beautiful cross centrally and headed it home after beating the otherwise excellent Virgil van Dijk in the air to make it 1-1 and take the game to extra time.
An absolutely unbelievable save kept Morocco at bay in extra time, as Rahimi found himself bearing down on goal, only for Verbruggen to make an incredible save with his leg to prevent the inevitable goal. Save of the tournament.
Extra time continued at a high tempo, but neither side was able to find the key to unlocking the others’ defence, despite a late Summerville charge that was intercepted by Morocco, and the referee blew to take it to penalties where once again the spot kick lottery would decide a place in the last 16.
In the shootout, Koopmeiners scored for Netherlands, only for Al Aynaoui to smash one off the bar, and Kluivert to clatter one off the upright.
Rahimi then took one that JUST crept in under the keeper, by the tiniest of margins, and Weghorst then converted his for Netherlands. Another excellent penalty from Talbi made it 2-2.
Quinten Timber then dragged his penalty horrifically wide of the left post only for Hakimi to reply by smashing the post again. Tit for tat. Summerville then stepped up but his effort was at Bounou’s head height, who saved it from a standing position.
It was all down to Saibari, then, to step up and try to fire Morocco to the last 16. He smashed it into the bottom corner to send the fans into absolute delirium.
What a game. Morocco will face Canada in the last 16.
8 min read