The Netherlands took the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo, who finished a well-constructed move created by Crysencio Summerville. Summerville’s intelligent run and an off-balance touch pass set up Gakpo, who converted clinically. With this strike, Gakpo reached six World Cup goals, placing him joint second among the Netherlands’ all-time World Cup scorers, behind Johnny Rep, who scored seven goals across the 1974 (four goals) and 1978 (three goals) tournaments.
Morocco, trailing 0-1 for the majority of the match, mounted a late response deep into extra time. In the 91st minute, immediately after the start of extra time, Issa Diop equalized with a powerful header from a cross delivered by substitute Chemsdine Talbi. The goal restored parity and shifted momentum in a fiercely contested encounter, though neither side could find a winner in the remaining extra time period.
After 120 minutes of regulation and extra time ended without further goals, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Both teams missed one of their first two attempts, converted the third, and then missed again on the fourth. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the decisive figure, saving Crysencio Summerville’s penalty. Ismael Saibari then converted Morocco’s crucial spot-kick to seal a 3-2 victory.
With this win, Morocco booked their place in the Round of 16, where they will face co-host Canada on 5 July in Houston.
The encounter ended as one of the most dramatic fixtures of the tournament, defined by late resilience, tactical intensity, and a decisive performance in the penalty shootout under immense pressure.
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