GUADALUPE, MEXICO – JUNE 29: Issa Diop #14 of Morocco celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco at Monterrey Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)The Dutch press has overwhelmingly acknowledged that Morocco fully deserved their dramatic victory over the Netherlands, with several leading outlets admitting that the Atlas Lions were the superior side throughout Monday’s enthralling Round of 32 encounter in Monterrey.After Morocco triumphed 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, Dutch broadcaster NOS delivered perhaps the clearest verdict of all.”The victory was deserved, Morocco was the better team,” NOS concluded in its post-match analysis.The outlet noted that the Oranje were outplayed, particularly in midfield, where Morocco consistently created numerical advantages and prevented Ronald Koeman’s side from establishing any rhythm in possession. According to the broadcaster, the Dutch struggled to impose their traditional style and were frequently forced into reactive football.NOS also highlighted Koeman’s tactical decision to deploy a five-man defence for the first time in two years, describing it as a sign of the enormous respect Morocco now commands on the world stage.”Morocco could not have received a more beautiful compliment than this,” the report suggested, arguing that the tactical switch was designed specifically to contain the strengths of the Atlas Lions after the Netherlands’ defensive vulnerabilities during the group stage.Under the headline, “The World Cup is over for the Netherlands, and Morocco triumphs at the end of a thrilling encounter,” NOS added that the latest defeat continued a worrying trend for the Dutch against elite international opposition.The widely read newspaper Algemeen Dagblad echoed those sentiments, describing the elimination as another painful setback against Morocco and acknowledging the technical superiority of the African champions.According to AD, the Atlas Lions controlled the tempo for long periods and prevented the Oranje from ever fully settling into the match. The publication argued that the Dutch simply could not match Morocco’s technical quality or midfield intensity.De Telegraaf went even further, claiming that Morocco produced the kind of attractive, proactive football traditionally associated with the Netherlands themselves.The newspaper viewed Koeman’s decision to reinforce his defence as clear evidence that the Dutch coach felt compelled to adapt to Morocco rather than impose his own philosophy. While the adjustment offered greater organisation at the back, it ultimately failed to stop Morocco from dominating large stretches of the contest.Meanwhile, ESPN Netherlands summarised the mood with the headline:”Morocco put a harsh end to Oranje’s World Cup dream.”Dutch commentators also pointed to Morocco’s superiority in the underlying numbers. Mohamed Ouahbi’s side enjoyed more possession in key phases, created the better opportunities and finished with a higher expected-goals tally, reinforcing the view that their progression was thoroughly merited.Even Dutch outlets reflecting on the defeat admitted that the penalty shootout merely confirmed what had unfolded over 120 minutes. NL Times described Morocco’s success as a “deserved loss for Oranje,” noting that the Atlas Lions dominated most of the encounter despite briefly trailing after Cody Gakpo’s emotional second-half opener.With the Netherlands heading home, Morocco now turn their attention to a Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Canada, carrying not only their own belief but also the respect and admiration of the Dutch media they have just eliminated.



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