Netherlands draw Morocco in last 16 as Malen debate heats up

Netherlands face Morocco in the Round of 16

Your team won the group and now it gets real. Netherlands play Morocco on Monday night in the World Cup knockout stage (1). No scoreline from the final group game in the reports, but the table doesn't lie, Oranje are through as group winners.

Driessen: "Individually a better squad than Morocco"

Valentijn Driessen fancies your chances. The pundit came out plainly: "I think the Netherlands individually has a better selection than Morocco" (3). Mike Verweij and Jeroen Kapteijns joined the discussion, and the comparison work is already underway among Dutch media ahead of Monday night (3).

Malen or Summerville, the right wing debate

One question keeps coming back: who starts on the right wing against Morocco? Donyell Malen is the incumbent but hasn't convinced everyone. Analyst Guyon Fernandez pointed out the risk: "If you don't start him now, you lose Malen" (2). Crysencio Summerville is waiting, and the debate is not going away before Monday (2).

Salah's injury not serious

A small update from elsewhere at this World Cup: Mo Salah's injury is not serious (1). Egypt's talisman should be fine, which matters for the tournament landscape even if it doesn't affect your path directly.