Morocco reached the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating Netherlands 3-2 in the penalty shootout. Captain Ashraf Hakimi said that the journey is not over yet. Goalkeeper Yasin Bono became the hero of the team. Now Morocco will face Canada.
‘We are not stopping yet’: Captain Hakimi’s announcement
Morocco captain Ashraf Hakimi has made it clear that his team’s journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is not over yet. The African team posted a confident message on social media after securing a place in the round of 16 of the 23rd edition. After a 1–1 draw after extra time, Morocco secured a thrilling 3–2 victory over the Netherlands in a penalty shootout. Hakimi then took to Twitter to express his determination ahead of the knockout stage. “We’re not stopping yet,” Hakimi wrote on X. https://x.com/AchrafHakimi/status/2071841079008080049?s=20
Player of the match Diop gave credit to the team
Morocco’s Player of the Match Issa Diop credited the entire team’s performance after the African team defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout. Speaking to the host broadcaster in a video shared by DAZN Football on X after the match, Diop praised the collective effort of his teammates and said the team executed their game plan perfectly. Diop said, “Yes, it was just a team performance today. The whole team performed very well. We executed the plan very well. And in the end, we won. I’m just very tired. I just want to recover, and that’s all.”
Thrilling win in penalty shootout
Morocco dramatically booked their place in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw after extra time. Days after announcing the loss of his unborn child, Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead with an emotional goal in the second half, but Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header sent the match into extra time. When neither team could find a winner, goalkeeper Yassine Bouno emerged as Morocco’s hero. He saved Crescencio Somerville’s penalty, after which Ismail Saybari converted the decisive spot-kick.
Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada in the round of 16. (ANI)
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