The Netherlands face Morocco in Monterrey in the World Cup round of 32. Will the Oranje or the Atlas Lions claim this decisive match? Follow the action live in our liveblog.
Official lineups
Netherlands: Verbruggen – Van Hecke, Van Dijk (c), Aké – Dumfries, Gravenberch, De Jong, Van de Ven – Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo.
Morocco: Bounou – Hakimi (c), Diop, Riad, Mazraoui – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss – Saibari.
Verbruggen denies El Khannouss
El Khannouss strikes from the edge of the box and aims for the bottom right corner, but Bart Verbruggen is well positioned to make an easy save!
Brilliant defending from Van de Ven!
Micky van de Ven produces a superb tackle to deny Achraf Hakimi inside the penalty area just as the Morocco captain was through on goal. A moment of mutual respect as Hakimi acknowledges the quality of Van de Ven’s defending with a respectful gesture!
HAKIMI HITS THE WOODWORK!
What a moment! Achraf Hakimi receives a perfect pass inside the box and shoots past Verbruggen, but the ball crashes against the crossbar and bounces away to safety!
Morocco take control
Lions de l’Atlas are enjoying the majority of the ball and orchestrating play from midfield. Morocco is re demonstrating patience and composure as they look to open up the Dutch defence
Diop sees yellow
ssa Diop is shown a yellow card by the referee for an earlier foul. The Moroccan centre-back has been warned and must be careful to avoid a second booking!
and we’re back!
It’s half-time in Monterrey
Saibari again, so close!!!
What a moment for Morocco! Achraf Hakimi swings in a free kick from the right and Ismael Saibari appears at the far post, but agonisingly misses the ball with the goal gaping wide open!
Saibari wastes the chance
Ismael Saibari wastes a golden chance for Morocco just before the break, unable to connect with a through ball that would have given the Lions de l’Atlas a crucial advantage heading into half-time.
6 minutes of added time
Van de Ven’s effort saved
Van de Ven strikes from the edge of the penalty area, but Bono is well positioned to make a comfortable save
Van Hecke down bleeding
Van Hecke has taken a blow to the head after colliding with Mazraoui during a free kick, opening up a cut on his scalp. The Netherlands defender is receiving treatment from the physio as blood streams down his face. And now ready to get back on the pitch.
Summerville’s run stalled
Summerville attempts to break free with a solo run down the flank, but a Moroccan defender closes him down and blocks his path
Ounahi gets away with it
Ounahi commits a clear elbow on Van Hecke but somehow avoids being booked by the referee
Time for a cooling break!
Stunning stop by Verbruggen!
Hakimi is played through perfectly and blasts towards the roof of the net, but Verbruggen is absolutely brilliant with a diving save of the highest order!!
El Aynaoui so close!
El Aynaoui gets a perfect connection on his header from the corner and directs it goalwards, but Verbruggen is equal to it with a stunning stop!
Summerville caught offside
The flag goes up against the Dutch winger
Dumfries denied
Dumfries looks to play a dangerous ball into the box, but Morocco’s defence is alert and intercepts before any damage is done.
Morocco arrive in Monterrey on Monday with something to prove. African champions and quarter-finalists in Qatar, the Lions want to show their surprise run in 2022 was no fluke, and a Dutch team remains the ideal test.
The Netherlands, perpetual World Cup contenders who have lost three finals, bring their own ambitions. Both teams navigated the group stage convincingly: Morocco matched Brazil before brushing past Scotland and Haiti, while the Dutch weathered a Japan scare to dispatch Sweden and Tunisia.
The match carries extra spice. Five Moroccan players will face former or current Dutch teammates, including Ismael Saibari, the Lions’ tournament top scorer, who recently won three Eredivisie titles with PSV Eindhoven.
