2022 World Cup semifinalists, Atlas Lions of Morocco, defeated The Netherlands 3-2 on penalties to qualify for the round of 16 of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African side this year to go that far.
In the match played at the Monterrey Stadium in Canada in the early hours of today, the Netherlands left it late to lead through Liverpool’s Gakpo in the 76 minutes but Morocco crawled back deep into the game in the additional time to make it 1-1 through Isa Diop.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, the North Africans defeated the Europeans 3-2 in a shootout that lacked precision from both sides. Morocco will meet Canada in the round of 16.
Morocco’s advancement could be seen as a relief for Africa after South Africa were eliminated by Canada in the first of the round of 32 games.
