Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi stated that his team earned global respect after defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout during their 2026 World Cup round of 32 clash. Following a 1-1 tie, the Atlas Lions secured a 3-2 victory in penalties at Monterrey Stadium, propelling them into the round of 16 against co-hosts Canada.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was instrumental in the win, stopping a penalty from Crysencio Summerville, which allowed Ismael Saibari to net the winning shot. Ouahbi remarked that his squad is driven by the support of millions of citizens back home, noting that the late-night timing of the match did not stop fans from watching.
The coach emphasized that Morocco controlled the game, citing 70 percent possession and better offensive metrics despite the match reaching penalties. He also expressed surprise at the Netherlands’ defensive tactics, viewing the low-block strategy as a sign of respect for his players. Looking toward the future, Ouahbi believes the team’s confidence has been steadily growing since their 2022 semi-final appearance, though he cautioned that the upcoming game against Canada remains a difficult test.
