In a dramatic World Cup encounter, Morocco edged out the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, sending the Dutch side home after a tense evening of spot‑kicks.
The Netherlands hosts a vibrant Moroccan diaspora, and their supporters turned the streets around The Hague into a sea of green and red, chanting and waving flags in the wake of the victory.
Celebrations and Conflict
Police in The Hague reported a surge of fireworks, spontaneous gatherings and several arrests as the celebrations spilled onto the streets, highlighting the passionate response of the community.
Across the Atlantic, fans in Casablanca erupted into night‑long revelry, lighting flares, setting off fireworks and flooding the avenues with chants that echoed the nation’s historic run to the 2022 semifinals.
Morocco’s next opponent will be co‑host Canada, a team they previously defeated 2‑1 in the group stage of the 2022 tournament, a result that fuels optimism that the Atlas Lions could replicate — or even surpass — their previous historic campaign.
For many supporters, the match is more than a game; it is a chance to rewrite the narrative of African football on the world stage, recalling the 2022 run that saw the country become the first African side to reach the semifinals.