Saibari's penalty sends Morocco past Netherlands into World Cup quarters

Morocco eliminate Netherlands on penalties

Your team is through. Morocco 1–1 Netherlands, 3–2 on penalties, Monday night in the World Cup round of 16 (1) (6) (9). Ismael Saibari buried the decisive spot-kick, sending the Dutch home and Morocco into the quarterfinals. The shootout was chaos in the best way, three Moroccan shots hit the woodwork and still went in. The Dutch keeper was nowhere near any of them (6).

Saibari: from 'too fat' to penalty hero

Same player, same tournament. Saibari now has two goals and a penalty that will be replayed for decades. HLN ran a piece on his backstory Monday, Anderlecht told him he was too fat as a teenager. He went to Antwerp instead, built himself, and now he is the man who knocked out the Netherlands (3). Younes Taha called this before the match, by the way. He said Morocco would beat them, and he was right.

Koeman's future in doubt, no regrets on tactics

Ronald Koeman is not sure he wants to stay on. "I will think about it starting tomorrow," he said after the loss (2) (8). He also defended starting five defenders, saying he would do it again if the match were replayed (5) (10). No regrets, even with the result.

Van Hecke 'completely empty' after elimination

Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke summed it up after the match: "I am completely empty" (4). That was before the penalties were even done. On the other side, Morocco celebrated hard, Dumfries was reportedly distraught in the tunnel (9).

Gakpo's emotional night

Cody Gakpo scored the Netherlands' goal days after losing an unborn son (7). It was a heavy night for him and his team. The fact he played at all says a lot. Morocco fans will understand the weight of that, football does not stop for grief, but it should at least acknowledge it.

Fan reactions

The biggest talking point in fan circles right now is Younes Taha calling the result before the match. On Reddit, supporters are digging up his quote and treating him like a prophet. The Saibari redemption arc, from being told he was too fat at Anderlecht to sending your team through, is the other thread that will not die. Join the discussion