Morocco's dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the World Cup last-32 tie sparked contrasting scenes across the country, with joyous celebrations in Amsterdam but clashes with police in The Hague.
Mixed Reactions Across the Country
In Amsterdam, Moroccan fans poured onto the streets at 6am after the Atlas Lions eliminated Ronald Koeman's team. Car horns blared, flags waved, and Dutch fans embraced their rivals, pledging support for Morocco for the rest of the tournament. However, in The Hague, police were pelted with bottles and fireworks, leading to at least 10 arrests, according to Omroep West. Four additional arrests were reported in Rotterdam by Algemeen Dagblad.
Social and Political Context
Approximately 440,000 people of Moroccan descent live in the Netherlands, and the match stirred a familiar dilemma: who to support. Former Netherlands manager Ron Jans discussed this with pundit Ibrahim Afellay, who explained his choice to back Morocco. Far-right politician Geert Wilders, known for anti-Muslim rhetoric, posted an AI image of himself as a referee red-carding a Morocco player before the game. After the match, he congratulated Morocco on X.
Three Morocco players—Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Anass Salah-Eddine—were born in the Netherlands but chose to represent Morocco, citing the rise of right-wing populism as a factor. This decision drew criticism from some politicians and commentators questioning their loyalty.
The Match and Its Aftermath
Morocco, ranked sixth in FIFA, dominated the match but nearly paid for missed chances. Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands, but Issa Diop equalized in stoppage time. In the shootout, Ismael Saibari, the Dutch league's best player last season, scored the decisive penalty, sending Moroccan fans into ecstasy.
Despite tensions, the camaraderie in Amsterdam highlighted a more harmonious reality. At Het Sieraad venue, about a quarter of 200 spectators supported Morocco, with women in headscarves singing the Dutch anthem and Dutch fans clapping Morocco's. Police were deployed at Mercatorplein square, a previous flashpoint, but no violence occurred.
