Ismael Saibari’s shootout winner sends Morocco past the Netherlands, in earliest Cup exit for the Dutch
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout, and Morocco sent the Netherlands to its earliest World Cup exit, eliminating the Dutch, 3-2 on kicks, after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes Monday night.
With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save of Crysencio Summerville’s attempt, staying upright and batting it away with his left hand. Saibari then sent the winner into the low left corner as keeper Bart Verbruggen went the other direction. The midfielder tore off his shirt and screamed with joy as he was mobbed by teammates.
The Netherlands had reached at least the round of 16 in eight previous World Cup appearances, including a quarterfinal showing four years ago, when Morocco reached the semifinals.
Morocco moves on to face Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Houston.
In the second round of the shootout with Morocco trailing 1-0, Verbruggen appeared to have stopped an attempt by Soufiane Rahimi, but the keeper couldn’t secure the ball and deflected it over the line with the back of his leg.
Cody Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute for the Dutch. After the goal, which was assisted by Summerville, the Dutch bench ran onto the field to embrace the 27-year-old Gakpo, who broke down in tears. Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, recently announced that they lost their unborn child.
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Morocco’s Issa Diop tied it in the 91st minute, heading in a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi.
Neither team had a strong scoring opportunity in 30 minutes of extra time at Estadio BBVA.
It was the second game of the tournament to conclude with a shootout, after Paraguay beat Germany on penalties earlier Monday in Foxborough.
The teams entered with the highest combined ranking of any Round of 32 match. Morocco was sixth in the world, and the Netherlands was seventh.
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