Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Morocco sent the Netherlands crashing out of the FIFA World Cup after defeating their European rivals in a dramatic penalty shootout in Mexico on Tuesday morning.
The match ended 1-1 in the regulation 90 minutes and went to the penalty shootout after the 30 minutes of extra time also failed to separate the two sides. Morocco prevailed 3-2 on penalties to advance to the round of 16.
The Dutch looked on course for victory after Cody Gakpo put them ahead in the 72nd minute. Gakpo finished off a move assisted by Crysencio Summerville. However, Morocco refused to give up and forced the match into extra time with a dramatic equalizer in the 91st minute. Issa Diop rose highest to meet a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi and headed the ball into the net.
Morocco came close to scoring in the 7th minute of extra time when Soufiane Rahimi went one-on-one with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch goalkeeper, however, produced a crucial save to keep the game alive.
In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved decisive for Morocco by saving Summerville’s spot-kick. Ismael Saibari then converted the winning penalty to send Morocco to the last 16, where they will meet Canada.
Teun Koopmeiners scored the first penalty for the Dutch. However, Neil El Aynaoui missed for Morocco. However, the African side equalized in the next round when Justin Kluivert missed his penalty, and Soufiane Rahimi’s shot somehow squeezed past the Dutch goalkeeper. Wout Weghorst and Talbi both scored in the next round to keep the score tied. However, Quinten Timber missed the Netherlands’ next penalty, and Morocco failed to capitalize, as Achraf Hakimi’s shot hit the bottom of the post. Morocco keeper saved Summerville’s penalty before Saibari converted his to take Morocco through.
