Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire took different paths in the Round of 32 the Atlas Lions beating the Netherlands on penalties as Côte d’Ivoire fell to Erling Haaland and Norway.
Morocco won the Dutch 3-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Monterrey and advance to the Round of 16. Côte d’Ivoire pushed Norway all the way in New York before Haaland’s late winner sealed a 2-1 victory for the Scandinavians.
Morocco’s victory came after a tense encounter against a Dutch side in which Cody Gakpo played just days after announcing the loss of his unborn son.
The Netherlands controlled much of the opening period but Morocco created the clearer opportunities. Neil El Aynaoui forced Bart Verbruggen into a superb save from an Achraf Hakimi corner before Ismael Saibari narrowly failed to connect with another dangerous delivery from the Paris Saint-Germain full-back.
Hakimi continued to trouble the Dutch defence after the break, striking the post and creating further openings as Morocco pressed for the breakthrough.
The Netherlands struck first when substitute Wout Weghorst released Gakpo, who finished past Yassine Bounou in the 72nd minute.
Morocco looked headed for elimination until substitute Issa Diop rose to power home Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in stoppage time and take the match to extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties where Bounou saved fromCrysencio Summerville before Saibari converted the decisive kick to send the Atlas Lions into the Round of 16 against Canada.
“It was a really tough game against one of the best teams in the world,” said defender Noussair Mazraoui. “The way we managed to win is a huge statement for us as a national team.”
Meanwhile, in New York, Côte d’Ivoire fell short but gave their first taste of World Cup knockout football everything.
Emerse Fae’s side started brightly and almost took the lead when Nicolas Pepe failed to convert Yan Diomande’s inviting cross after Ghislain Konan had earlier tested Norway’s defence.
Norway struck first through Antonio Nusa, who cut inside from the left before curling into the far corner for his first goal of the tournament.
Amad Diallo changed the matchafter coming off the bench, equalising in the 74th minute after combining with Pepe and cutting through the Norwegian defence before firing past Orjan Nyland.
Then Haaland had the last word. With four minutes remaining, Patrick Berg’s low cross found Haaland inside the area and the Manchester City striker stabbed home his fifth goal of the tournament and 60th for his country to secure Norway’s first last 16 since 1998.
Côte d’Ivoire kept pushing, with Diallo forcing a spectacular save from Nyland with a late free-kick.
“This leaves a very bitter taste,” said Franck Kessie. “We had a real chance and the difference came down to small details.”
Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16.
