Morocco reach quarters as Guardiola debate consumes Netherlands

Morocco roll on, Saibari injured

The team that knocked you out just kept going. Morocco beat Canada 3–0 on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (7) (8). Ismael Saibari went off injured, a real concern ahead of the next round (7). The Canadians brought the fight in the first half, but Morocco broke them after the break, something pundits noted your team failed to do against the same opponent (10).

Afellay: Guardiola is the dream

Ibrahim Afellay has made his pick for the next Netherlands coach. Pep Guardiola. "He is the very best," Afellay said, and he would take Guardiola over Arne Slot too (1) (6). He is not alone. Ruud Gullit made the same case on beIN SPORTS, saying Guardiola should be the man if he has the courage to take it on (3). Danny Blind and Arnold Bruggink are also pushing the Guardiola option, though Blind named several other candidates as well (4).

Bosz not shutting the door

Afellay also flagged Peter Bosz as a live candidate. The PSV coach has not explicitly ruled himself out, and Afellay, who was briefly his assistant at PSV, said he would understand if Bosz is open to the Oranje job (5).

France through, could face Morocco

France beat Paraguay 1–0, Kylian Mbappé scoring after a VAR review (12). They are now on a collision course with Morocco in the quarterfinals, the same Morocco that ended your World Cup on penalties.

Fan reactions

The mood in Dutch corners of Reddit has shifted from the pain of the shootout to restless coaching debates. Guardiola's name keeps coming up, and there is a clear split between fans who think the KNVB should go all-in for him and those who see it as a fantasy. The market value thread on r/soccer has Dutch fans pointing out, with some bitterness, that Morocco's squad value was nowhere near yours.