The Netherlands have officially become the World Cup’s most reliable heartbreak machine. On June 29, Morocco ended the Dutch campaign in the Round of 32 in Kansas City, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. It’s the third consecutive World Cup where the Netherlands have been sent home from the penalty spot.
What happened in Kansas City
Morocco took the lead and looked in control for stretches of the match, but Cody Gakpo equalized to drag the Netherlands level. Neither side could find a winner through the remainder of the contest or extra time, sending the match to a penalty shootout.
Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick for Morocco, sealing a 3-2 penalty victory.
This was the earliest exit in the Netherlands’ World Cup history. A Round of 32 departure. For a nation that reached the semifinals in 2014 and the quarterfinals in 2022, going out in the first knockout round represents a steep and unmistakable decline in tournament trajectory.
