Following Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands in a World Cup last-32 tie, celebrations erupted in various Dutch cities, though some areas also reported disturbances. The match, which ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, saw the Atlas Lions advance to the next round.
In Amsterdam, the Moroccan community celebrated joyously in the early morning hours. Car horns sounded throughout the city, and fans waved flags, with many Dutch supporters reportedly congratulating their opponents. Police presence on Mercatorplein square, a site of past disturbances, noted a peaceful atmosphere.
However, the mood in The Hague was different. Reports from the Dutch public broadcaster NOS indicated that police were targeted with bottles and fireworks. Regional news station Omroep West stated that at least 10 individuals, believed to be Morocco fans, were arrested in The Hague following attacks on police. Additionally, the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported that four Morocco fans were arrested in Rotterdam, though the reasons for these arrests were not specified.
Match details and player reactions
The game, held in Monterrey, Mexico, saw Nathan Ake start for the Dutch side. Morocco, who were semi-finalists in the previous World Cup, posed a significant threat throughout the match. Achraf Hakimi, earning his 100th cap, hit the crossbar, and Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made several key saves to keep the score level for a significant period.
The Netherlands took the lead with a goal from Cody Gakpo. However, Issa Diop’s powerful header in stoppage time brought the African side level. The match remained 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders remained on the bench during the game.
During the shootout, the Dutch missed three of their spot-kicks. Ismail Saibari converted the decisive penalty, securing a 3-2 victory for Morocco. This win means Morocco will now face Canada in the last-16. Other teams that progressed to the next round include Brazil and Paraguay, who defeated Japan and Germany, respectively.
Community and political context
The match carried significant social undertones in the Netherlands, home to approximately 440,000 people of Moroccan descent. The question of who to support was widely discussed, often in a good-natured manner. Former manager Ron Jans and pundit Ibrahim Afellay, who was capped 53 times for the Netherlands, publicly discussed the dilemma, with Afellay expressing support for Morocco.
The debate surrounding loyalty has been heightened by political figures. Far-right politician Geert Wilders, known for his criticism of the Moroccan community in the Netherlands, posted an AI-generated image on X depicting himself giving a red card to a Morocco player before the game. After Morocco’s triumph, Wilders used X to congratulate the team. The discussion on social cohesion is expected to continue, though the camaraderie observed among fans in Amsterdam highlighted a more positive reality compared to online discourse.
Several players of Moroccan heritage born in the Netherlands, including Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Anass Salah-Eddine, chose to represent Morocco. This decision has been linked by some Dutch-Moroccan players to the rise of right-wing populist parties. Despite the multicultural composition of Ronald Koeman’s squad, it has been over a decade since a player of Moroccan heritage represented the Netherlands.
Morocco’s strong performance in the match, where they were considered superior to the Netherlands, further solidified their position in international football. They are currently ranked sixth in FIFA’s rankings, one place above their opponents.
The match also saw Jorrel Hato make his World Cup debut for the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute with four minutes remaining in normal time.
Read Also
Source: theguardian.com
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
