Netherlands fall to Morocco, register unique World Cup anti-record

Morocco national football team advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands national football team in a penalty shootout.

The Round of 32 clash ended 1-1 after regular and extra time, with Morocco prevailing 3-2 on penalties.

The Netherlands took the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo. However, Diop equalised in stoppage time, scoring in the 90+1st minute to send the match into extra time.

Following the defeat, the Netherlands set a unique and unwanted record in world football history. The Dutch became the first national team ever to be eliminated from three consecutive World Cups without losing a single match in either regular or extra time.

Over the past 12 years, the Netherlands have not suffered a defeat during open play at a World Cup. Their eliminations in the knockout stages at the 2014, 2022, and now 2026 tournaments all came via penalty shootouts.

By Jeyhun Aghazada