‘The most terrible moments for a footballer’

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said Ronald Koeman’s squad had “trained so much” for penalties before missing three of their five spot kicks in a shootout to exit in their first knockout match at the World Cup 2026.

Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber missed the target and Crysencio Summerville’s effort was saved by Yassine Bounou as Morocco came from behind during regular time and the shootout to oust Oranje.

“Unfortunately, we still get knocked out,” Van Dijk said of the Netherlands’ attempts to prepare for penalties, speaking to NOS (via Telegraaf).

“These are the most terrible moments for a footballer. It is difficult to analyse. It was an intense match. At times it went well. It could have been better, but that doesn’t help you at all.”

Netherlands vs Morocco: World Cup exit ‘insufficient’

New Tottenham signing Jan Paul van Hecke had suggested he was part of a squad who would win the tournament after they completed the group stage by beating Tunisia to reach seven points.

“I am completely drained,” added the defender, who was playing his first World Cup knockout stage game.

“We fought hard for it and gave everything. It was a tough battle. We went for it. It doesn’t matter. This is so painful for the country, for the team.”

While Liverpool’s Van Dijk is 34 and may not play at another World Cup, 26-year-old defender Van Hecke and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is three years his senior, will hope to have more chances to lift the trophy.

“It is difficult to say, at this point, what went wrong and to analyse everything,” said De Jong. “I feel empty right now.

“What grade would I give this tournament? I don’t know. We are already out in the first knockout round, which is not something you hope for. This is insufficient.”

World Cup 2026: Morocco ‘humble’ vs Netherlands

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

“That we win here is like a feeling of winning a final,” said Atlas Lions wideman Noussair Mazraoui.

“It’s a huge, huge accomplishment for the team and we’re just going to stay humble because that’s why we are here.”

The Manchester United full-back believed the contest “came far too early” in the tournament and was “not fair” for both teams.

“For the Moroccans who stayed up late to watch, what can I tell you?” he asked. “We gave everything.

“We fought and we believed in the victory until the very last minute. It wasn’t easy and we just wanted to make the people back there happy.”

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

Diop admitted he had been surprised to find himself in a position to meet Chemsdine Talbi’s delivery and score.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t really know what I was doing there,” explained the Fulham centre-back.

“We know the quality of [his] crosses, so I just tried to attack the space and it worked.

“We heard the stadium was behind us, so thanks to the Mexican people. You know, I have some Mexican friends – [Fulham and Mexico striker] Raul Jimenez – so maybe it’s him who talked to them to support us.

“I just want to thank all the Moroccan people who support us and are behind us. We know that they support us and, on the pitch, we give everything for them. We think of them every second.”

World Cup 2026: Morocco schedule

Morocco’s semi-final appearance in 2022 was the longest ever run by an African team at the finals and they can move a step closer to emulating the achievement by beating Canada in the last 16 on Saturday.

“They are a very good team,” Diop said of the co-hosts, accepting that Morocco’s time to reflect and celebrate “is not going to last very long”.

“We saw their [last-32 1-0 win] against South Africa. They are a good team. We saw their group stage games.”

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