International press hail Morocco after shootout win over Netherlands to reach last 16 | OneFootball

Morocco reached the last 16 after a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 shootout win over the Netherlands, prompting widespread praise from the international press. Their controlled display left a strong impression.

Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead against the run of play, Morocco steadied and forced penalties after a composed performance. In the shootout, Yassine Bounou’s save and Ismael Saibari’s kick proved pivotal.

Morocco’s Map Sport said the Atlas Lions simply refused to yield and were dominant from start to finish after conceding first. It also highlighted Mohamed Ouahbi’s changes as decisive in shifting the game’s flow.

Spain’s AS argued seeing Morocco at this level is no longer a surprise and that the African side have joined the elite, adding the team play magnificent football and that the shootout will live long in World Cup memory.

Across the Atlantic, The Athletic said Morocco gave the Dutch nothing and produced sparkling passages of play, noting the run has revived the excitement of their Qatar 2022 semi-final journey.

Italy’s Gazzetta dello Sport felt the more deserving team prevailed on penalties and praised both players and staff, describing Ouahbi’s side as a “grande formation”.

In the Netherlands, AD criticised the decision to use a back five and accepted Morocco carried the greater threat. Former international Willem van Hanegem wrote that Quinten Timber’s penalty was unacceptable, while this was the third straight Dutch shootout exit after 2014 and 2022, those defeats to Argentina.

Source: L'Équipe