Netherlands vs Morocco
Morocco stuns Netherlands on penalties
A tense World Cup clash settled from the spot after a 1-1 stalemate.
The Netherlands and Morocco battled to a 1-1 draw in regular time, with goals from both sides keeping the contest finely balanced. Contrary to Fipster's confident prediction of a Dutch victory, Morocco held firm and ultimately triumphed in the penalty shootout, making a mockery of the form book and delivering a classic upset.
Analysis
The Round of 32 sees Netherlands take on Morocco in what promises to be a closely contested encounter. Both teams have impressed in the group stage, but the Dutch hold a slight edge in squad quality and recent form.
Netherlands enter this knockout stage with 11 prior World Cup appearances and their best finish as runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010. Morocco, with 6 appearances, achieved their best result recently by finishing fourth in 2022. Both teams topped their qualifying groups, showcasing strong form heading into this match.
The Netherlands boast a squad with 22 of 26 players in Europe's top five leagues, including key figures like D. Dumfries of Inter and C. Gakpo of Liverpool. Morocco's squad, while talented with 15 players in top leagues such as A. Hakimi of Paris Saint Germain, is slightly less experienced at this level. Both sides have strong recent form, but the Dutch have a higher share of players competing in top-tier leagues and a solid group stage performance, giving them a moderate calibre advantage.
Prediction
Expect the Netherlands to take an early lead, reflected in a predicted halftime score of 1-0. Morocco will respond, but the Dutch are likely to secure a 2-1 victory. The match should be competitive with around four cards shown, typical of a World Cup knockout fixture. Confidence in this prediction stands at 79%.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Netherlands' attacking trio in strong form
Brobbey, Gakpo, and Summerville show high scoring rates and synergy, pressuring Morocco's defense.
Morocco's midfield creativity from Brahim Díaz
Díaz's assist rate and passing accuracy provide Morocco with key chances, balancing Netherlands' attack.
Netherlands' positive home scoring streak
Consistent scoring at home with 3 consecutive games scoring multiple goals supports predicted win.
Defensive solidity with Van Dijk and De Jong
Their above-average defensive stats and passing help control midfield and defense against Morocco's attack.
No key injuries reported for either team
Full squads available, allowing both teams to field strongest lineups and tactical plans.
Key Takeaways
This Round of 32 clash will test Morocco's resilience against a technically superior Dutch side. While Morocco's creativity and recent momentum are notable, the Netherlands' balanced squad and tactical discipline should see them through to the next round.
- Netherlands have 11 prior World Cup appearances with best finishes as runners-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
- Morocco have 6 prior World Cup appearances, with their best finish being fourth place in 2022.
- Both teams topped their respective qualifying groups to reach the World Cup.
- Netherlands' squad features 22 players in top-5 European leagues, including stars like D. Dumfries and C. Gakpo.
- Morocco's squad includes 15 players in top-5 European leagues, led by A. Hakimi.
- Netherlands have a recent form of WWDWD in their last five matches.
- Morocco have a recent form of WWDWW in their last five matches.
- The predicted match will likely see around 4 cards, typical for a knockout stage game.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Netherlands
Away — Morocco
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Diop
Yellow Card
Brobbey
Aké
Gakpo
Assist: Summerville
Riad
Bouaddi
Díaz
van de Ven
Ounahi
Gravenberch
El Khannouss
Diop
Assist: Talbi
de Jong
Gakpo
El Aynaoui
Missed Penalty
Koopmeiners
Penalty
Rahimi
Penalty
Kluivert
Missed Penalty
Weghorst
Penalty
Talbi
Penalty
Hakimi
Missed Penalty
Timber
Missed Penalty
Summerville
Missed Penalty
Saibari
Penalty
Match Statistics
Netherlands
3-4-2-1Starting XI
- 1Bart VerbruggenG
- 4Virgil van DijkD
- 5Nathan Benjamin AkéD
- 6Jan Paul van HeckeD
- 8Ryan Jiro GravenberchM
- 11Cody Mathès GakpoF
- 15Micky van de VenM
- 19Brian Ebenezer Adjei BrobbeyF
- 21Frenkie de JongM
- 22Denzel Justus Morris DumfriesM
- 24Crysencio Jilbert Sylverio Cir SummervilleF
Substitutes
- 2Lutsharel GeertruidaD
- 3Marten Elco de RoonM
- 7Justin Dean KluivertF
- 9Wout WeghorstF
- 10Memphis DepayF
- 12Mats WiefferM
- 13Robin RoefsG
- 14Tijjani ReijndersM
- 16Guus Berend TilM
- 17Noa Noëll LangF
- 18Donyell MalenF
- 20Teun KoopmeinersM
- 23Mark FlekkenG
- 25Jorrel HatoD
- 26Quinten Ryan Crispito TimberM
Morocco
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1Yassine BounouG
- 2Achraf Hakimi MouhD
- 3Noussair MazraouiD
- 6Ayyoub BouaddiM
- 8Azzedine OunahiM
- 10Brahim DíazM
- 11Ismael Saibari Ben El BasraF
- 14Issa Laye Lucas Jean DiopD
- 18Chadi Riad DnanouD
- 23Bilal El KhannoussM
- 24Neil El AynaouiM
Substitutes
- 4Sofyan AmrabatM
- 5Marwane SaâdaneD
- 7Chemsdine TalbiF
- 9Soufiane RahimiF
- 12Munir Mohand Mohamedi El KajouiG
- 13Zakaria El OuahdiD
- 15Samir El MourabetM
- 16Gessime YassineF
- 17Mohamed Amine SbaïF
- 19Youssef BelammariD
- 20Ayoub El KaabiF
- 21A. AmaimouniF
- 22Ahmed Reda TagnaoutiG
- 25Redouane HalhalD
- 26Anass Salah-EddineD
Netherlands
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bart Verbruggen | G | 120 | 8.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Crysencio Summerville | F | 120 | 7.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | 1/5 |
| Cody Gakpo | F | 113 | 6.9 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Virgil van Dijk(C) | D | 120 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Frenkie de Jong | M | 110 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jan Paul van Hecke | D | 120 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Brian Brobbey | F | 71 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Micky van de Ven | M | 86 | 6.5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Nathan Aké | D | 71 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ryan Gravenberch | M | 86 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/2 |
| Denzel Dumfries | M | 120 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Donyell Malen | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lutsharel Geertruida | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Guus Til | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tijjani Reijnders | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Robin Roefs | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mark Flekken | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Noa Lang | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Memphis Depay | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mats Wieffer | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wout Weghorst | F | 49 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| Jorrel Hato | D | 34 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Justin Kluivert | F | 8 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Quinten Timber | M | 34 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/2 |
| Teun Koopmeiners | M | 49 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marten de Roon | M | 10 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Morocco
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noussair Mazraoui | D | 120 | 7.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Issa Diop | D | 120 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Neil El Aynaoui | M | 120 | 7.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0/2 |
| Azzedine Ounahi | M | 86 | 7.3 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1/2 |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | M | 79 | 6.9 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1/2 |
| Brahim Díaz | M | 79 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Achraf Hakimi(C) | D | 120 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Chadi Riad | D | 75 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Yassine Bounou | G | 120 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bilal El Khannouss | M | 87 | 5.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/3 |
| Ismael Saibari | F | 120 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2/2 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Ayoube Amaimouni Echghouyab | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Munir El Kajoui | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ayoub El Kaabi | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Zakaria El Ouahdi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Redouane Halhal | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sofyan Amrabat | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marwane Saadane | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Youssef Belammari | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amine Sbai | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chemsdine Talbi | F | 33 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1/3 |
| Soufiane Rahimi | F | 34 | 6.9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1/2 |
| Anass Salah-Eddine | D | 45 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samir El Mourabet | M | 41 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gessime Yassine | F | 41 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/3 |