The Netherlands–Morocco clash in Monterrey closely mirrored the trajectory of the Germany–Paraguay match in Boston. Just like the Boston fixture, which saw a 1-1 draw in regulation time followed by a goalless extra time, this encounter was also pushed to a penalty shootout.

However, the flurry of missed spot-kicks from both sides during the shootout was nothing short of unbelievable. Ultimately, after a highly dramatic penalty sequence, Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 to advance to the World Cup Round of 16.

The Netherlands failed to convert three of their penalties, while Morocco missed two.

Earlier in the match, Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop struck the equalizer for Morocco in stoppage time (91').

The match might not have even reached a shootout had Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi managed to beat Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from point-blank range in the 96th minute. Since neither side could break the deadlock across both halves of extra time, the game moved into a nerve-wracking shootout.

For the entirety of the first half and a significant portion of the second in this Round of 32 clash, Morocco looked like the better side.

The African nation created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert due to poor finishing. Just as regulation time seemed to be heading toward a goalless draw, fortune favored Gakpo.

Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville drove into the Moroccan box and, just before being dispossessed by a defender, managed to square the ball to Gakpo.

The forward unleashed a powerful strike from inside the box to score, raising a profound question about the sheer resilience of the human spirit.

Cody and his wife, Noa van der Bij, had chosen the name Elijah Rafael Gakpo for their unborn child. Sadly, Gakpo Junior never got to see the light of day, passing away before birth. With Noa sharing the tragic news just a few days ago, one could only imagine Cody's state of mind.

Suppreessing his immense grief, Cody chose to stay with the national team. Perhaps that goal served as a small consolation; immediately after scoring, Gakpo dropped to his knees, visibly overcome with emotion, as his Dutch teammates rushed from the bench to embrace him.

But fate had other plans. In stoppage time, Morocco midfielder Chemsdine Talbi floated a cross from the left flank. It was a ball that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk was expected to clear, but Moroccan defender Issa Diop leaped higher from behind to net the equalizer, stunning the Dutch camp into silence.