‘The most terrible moments for a footballer’

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk mentioned Ronald Koeman’s squad had “skilled a lot” for penalties earlier than lacking three of their 5 spot kicks in a shootout to exit of their first knockout match on the World Cup 2026.

Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber missed the goal and Crysencio Summerville’s effort was saved by Yassine Bounou as Morocco got here from behind throughout common time and the shootout to oust Oranje.

“Sadly, we nonetheless get knocked out,” Van Dijk mentioned of the Netherlands’ makes an attempt to organize for penalties, talking to NOS (by way of Telegraaf).

“These are essentially the most horrible moments for a footballer. It’s troublesome to analyse. It was an intense match. At occasions it went properly. It may have been higher, however that doesn’t make it easier to in any respect.”

Netherlands vs Morocco: World Cup exit ‘inadequate’

New Tottenham signing Jan Paul van Hecke had advised he was a part of a squad who would win the event after they accomplished the group stage by beating Tunisia to succeed in seven factors.

“I’m fully drained,” added the defender, who was enjoying his first World Cup knockout stage sport.

“We fought arduous for it and gave all the things. It was a tricky battle. We went for it. It doesn’t matter. That is so painful for the nation, for the workforce.”

Whereas Liverpool’s Van Dijk is 34 and should not play at one other World Cup, 26-year-old defender Van Hecke and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who’s three years his senior, will hope to have extra possibilities to carry the trophy.

“It’s troublesome to say, at this level, what went unsuitable and to analyse all the things,” mentioned De Jong. “I really feel empty proper now.

“What grade would I give this event? I don’t know. We’re already out within the first knockout spherical, which isn’t one thing you hope for. That is inadequate.”

World Cup 2026: Morocco ‘humble’ vs Netherlands

Having fallen behind to Cody Gakpo’s 72nd-minute strike, Morocco equalised via Issa Diop’s header within the 91st minute in Monterrey.

“That we win right here is sort of a feeling of profitable a ultimate,” mentioned Atlas Lions wideman Noussair Mazraoui.

“It’s an enormous, enormous accomplishment for the workforce and we’re simply going to remain humble as a result of that’s why we’re right here.”

The Manchester United full-back believed the competition “got here far too early” within the event and was “not honest” for each groups.

“For the Moroccans who stayed up late to observe, what can I inform you?” he requested. “We gave all the things.

“We fought and we believed within the victory till the final minute. It wasn’t straightforward and we simply needed to make the individuals again there completely happy.”

Issa Diop objective vs Netherlands: ‘Stadium was behind us’

Diop admitted he had been shocked to seek out himself ready to satisfy Chemsdine Talbi’s supply and rating.

“To inform you the reality, I don’t actually know what I used to be doing there,” defined the Fulham centre-back.

“We all know the standard of [his] crosses, so I simply tried to assault the area and it labored.

“We heard the stadium was behind us, so due to the Mexican individuals. , I’ve some Mexican associates – [Fulham and Mexico striker] Raul Jimenez – so possibly it’s him who talked to them to help us.

“I simply need to thank all of the Moroccan individuals who help us and are behind us. We all know that they help us and, on the pitch, we give all the things for them. We consider them each second.”

World Cup 2026: Morocco schedule

Morocco’s semi-final look in 2022 was the longest ever run by an African workforce on the finals and so they can transfer a step nearer to emulating the achievement by beating Canada within the final 16 on Saturday.

“They’re an excellent workforce,” Diop mentioned of the co-hosts, accepting that Morocco’s time to replicate and have fun “just isn’t going to final very lengthy”.

“We noticed their [last-32 1-0 win] towards South Africa. They’re a superb workforce. We noticed their group stage video games.”

Right here’s when Morocco vs Canada takes place in several territories. The winners will face France, Sweden or Paraguay within the quarter-finals.