Morocco’s dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 victory over the Netherlands sparked contrasting scenes across two continents, with jubilant celebrations erupting in Casablanca while clashes broke out between football fans and police in the Dutch city of The Hague following the Atlas Lions’ historic qualification for the Round of 16.Morocco stunned the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time, condemning the Dutch to their earliest World Cup exit and setting up a last-16 clash against co-host Canada.
Celebrations turn chaotic in The Hague
The Netherlands is home to a large Moroccan community, and thousands of supporters celebrated Morocco’s victory late into the night. However, festivities in The Hague’s Schilderswijk district turned violent as police intervened.According to Dutch police, “heavy fireworks were set off” during the celebrations, with officers coming under attack from fireworks and stones. Riot police were deployed to restore order, charging crowds and using a water cannon to disperse gatherings.Police confirmed that “a few individuals have been arrested for committing open violence.”Meanwhile, more than 2,000 kilometres away in Casablanca, the atmosphere was one of unrestrained joy.As Ismael Saibari converted the winning penalty, tense silence inside cafés packed with supporters instantly transformed into deafening celebrations. Fireworks illuminated the night sky as fans poured onto the streets waving Moroccan flags, sounding car horns and chanting long after midnight.Despite the early morning hours and a working day ahead, hundreds of supporters continued celebrating until dawn, gathering along Casablanca’s main boulevards while chanting, “Canada, we’re coming for you.”
Hakimi: ‘Qatar was no stroke of luck’
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said the victory proved his side’s remarkable run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals was no one-off.“It was a complicated and extremely tough match. We knew who we were up against, and we prepared well physically because we knew it would be a grueling game, but we also knew it would be even tougher mentally,” Hakimi told the host broadcaster.“We maintained our full focus until the end, showed the true spirit of this team, and we’re incredibly proud of this victory.”Hakimi also responded to critics who had suggested Morocco’s success in Qatar had been a one-time achievement.“There were a lot of people who thought what happened in Qatar was just a stroke of luck. But we kept our focus, and hard work always pays off. Today we reaped the rewards of that effort,” he said.
