After defeating the Netherlands on penalties at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Morocco captain Ashraf Hakimi said the victory proved that the team’s historic performance in 2022 was no fluke. He said that the team has cemented its place among the top teams of the world.
guadalupe [मेक्सिको]June 30 (ANI): Morocco captain Ashraf Hakimi, speaking to the host broadcaster, said his team’s thrilling win over the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026 proved that the team’s historic performance at the 2022 tournament was no fluke. He stressed that the Atlas Lions have earned their place among the top football nations in the world.
Morocco secured their place in the Round of 16 by defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Addressing the host broadcaster after the match, Hakimi praised his teammates who faced both physical and mental challenges in the match. Hakimi said, “Yes, as I said, it was a difficult and extremely tough match. We knew who we faced, and we prepared well physically because we knew it would be a tiring game, but we also knew it would be even tougher mentally. We remained focused until the end, showed the true spirit of this team, and we are very proud of this victory.”
Qatar’s performance was no fluke
When asked if Morocco had now firmly established themselves among football’s top nations following their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the captain said the team’s consistent performances had answered their critics.
He told the host broadcaster, “Yes, as I said, there were a lot of people who thought that what happened in Qatar was just a game of luck. But we kept our focus, and hard work always pays off, and today we have reaped the fruits of that effort. We need to stay humble and focused from the beginning, and we will reach the end, Inshallah, Inshallah.”
Morocco won in penalty shootout
Morocco dramatically booked their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The team defeated the Netherlands 3–2 in the penalty shootout in a match that was drawn 1–1 after extra time.
Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch team the lead with an emotional goal in the second half. He had given the sad news of losing his unborn child just a few days ago. But Issa Diop scored a header in stoppage-time to send the match into extra time.
When neither team could score the winning goal, goalkeeper Yassin Bounou emerged as Morocco’s hero. He saved Crescencio Somerville’s penalty, after which Ismail Saybari converted the decisive spot-kick to give the team the victory.
Morocco will next face co-hosts Canada in the round of 16. (ANI)
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