Dutch cities see mixed reactions after Morocco’s World Cup victory
Following Morocco’s victory over the Netherlands in a World Cup last-32 tie, celebrations erupted in parts of the Netherlands, though some areas experienced unrest. The match, which concluded in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, saw the Atlas Lions advance to the next round.
In Amsterdam, the Moroccan community celebrated joyously in the early morning hours. Car horns sounded and fans waved flags, with police noting a peaceful atmosphere in areas like Mercatorplein square, which had previously seen disturbances after other Morocco games. Dutch fans in Amsterdam were observed congratulating their opponents and pledging support for Morocco for the remainder of the tournament.
However, the situation in The Hague was different. Reports from the Dutch public broadcaster NOS indicated that police were targeted with bottles and fireworks. Regional news station Omroep West stated that at least 10 people, believed to be Morocco fans, were arrested in The Hague following attacks on law enforcement. Additionally, the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported that four Morocco fans were arrested in Rotterdam, though the reasons for these arrests were not specified.
Match details and player choices
The game itself was a dramatic affair. Nathan Ake started for the Dutch side in Monterrey, Mexico. Achraf Hakimi of Morocco struck the crossbar, and Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made several saves to keep the score level for a significant portion of the match. The Netherlands took the lead when Cody Gakpo scored. However, Issa Diop’s header in stoppage time equalised for Morocco, forcing the game into extra time. Jorrel Hato made his World Cup debut for the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute in the final minutes of normal time.
Despite the Dutch having Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders on the bench, the score remained 1-1 through extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. The Netherlands missed three of their spot-kicks. Ismail Saibari converted the decisive penalty, securing a 3-2 win for Morocco and sending them to the last-16, where they will face Canada.
Community and political context
The match was viewed by many in the Netherlands as more than just a football game, given the substantial Moroccan population in the country. Approximately 440,000 people of Moroccan descent reside in the Netherlands. The question of who to support was a common topic, with many showing understanding regardless of allegiance.
The political landscape also played a role, with far-right politician Geert Wilders making comments on social media before and after the match. Wilders, who has previously targeted the Moroccan community, tweeted an anti-Islam insult in response to a picture of Morocco players praying and posted an AI-generated image of himself giving a red card to a Morocco player. After Morocco’s triumph, Wilders used X to congratulate them.
Some Dutch-Moroccan players have cited the rise of Wilders and other right-wing populist parties as a reason for increasingly choosing to represent Morocco. While former Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay, who was capped 53 times for the Netherlands, expressed support for Morocco, it has been over a decade since a player of Moroccan heritage represented the Netherlands. Three members of Morocco’s current squad were born in the Netherlands, including Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Anass Salah-Eddine, who all decided to play for Morocco.
The debate on social cohesion is expected to continue, but the camaraderie observed among fans in Amsterdam suggested a more pleasant reality than online discussions. In the capital’s west end, an area with a significant Moroccan population, celebrations remained peaceful, with Dutch-Moroccan-owned cafes decorated with orange flags and fans from both sides sharing in the experience.
Other World Cup matches saw Brazil and Paraguay also progress to the next round, defeating Japan and Germany respectively. Manchester City players Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki are scheduled to play their first knockout games on Tuesday.
The new Manchester City Home Kit for the 2026/27 season is now available for purchase.
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Source: theguardian.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
