Jubilation turns to clashes after Morocco beats Netherlands

Morocco’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands at the World Cup triggered celebrations from Casablanca to Europe, with jubilant scenes in the Dutch city of The Hague later giving way to clashes with police and a series of arrests.

The last-32 match in Monterrey ended 1-1 after extra time before Morocco prevailed in a tense shoot-out. After both sides missed penalties, PSV Eindhoven forward Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick to send the Atlas Lions into the last 16, where they will face co-host Canada.

In The Hague, home to one of the largest Moroccan communities in the Netherlands, celebrations erupted following the winning penalty. Around 32,000 residents of Moroccan descent live in the city, accounting for nearly 6% of the population. Many are descendants of workers who migrated from northern Morocco under a bilateral labour recruitment agreement signed in 1969. Districts such as Schilderswijk have since developed into centres of Moroccan-Dutch culture.

In Schilderswijk, supporters draped in Moroccan flags filled the streets, with car horns blaring and fireworks lighting the night sky. Several hundred fans gathered at a busy junction, kicking footballs, celebrating with passing motorists and, at times, climbing onto cars.

About an hour into the celebrations, riot police moved in to disperse the crowds, deploying water cannon and using batons. Around a dozen arrests were made, with officers restraining several young men, handcuffing them and transporting them in police vans.

Dutch police said officers came under attack during the disturbances, while AFP reported that some youths were struck with batons.

"Heavy fireworks were set off" in Schilderswijk, police said, adding that officers were pelted with stones as riot squads and water cannon were deployed to break up the gathering.

"A few individuals have been arrested for committing open violence," police said.

By Tamilla Hasanova