James is a Senior Editor for GIVEMESPORT with over eight years of experience in the industry. After graduating from the University of Southampton in 2016 with a degree in history, he joined the company as an Academy member in July 2017 and, after a short time working as a freelancer, was given a full-time role in February 2018. He primarily covers the biggest stories in the football world but is also comfortable reporting on a variety of other sports including darts, golf, Formula 1, tennis, boxing and athletics. He has covered some massive events during his time at GIVEMESPORT, including numerous Champions League and World Cup finals, as well as the Olympics in 2020 and 2024.
The Netherlands crashed out of the 2026 World Cup on Monday evening as they suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to reigning AFCON champions, Morocco.
Ronald Koeman's side were one of the most impressive teams at the tournament in the group stage, scoring 10 goals and going unbeaten across their three matches.
Despite finishing top of Group F, they were handed a very tricky last 32 tie against Morocco .
The Netherlands looked like they were going to go through when Cody Gakpo gave them the lead with 18 minutes remaining. However, Oranje couldn't hang on as Issa Diop's goal in stoppage-time restored parity.
The match went to a penalty shootout and the Netherlands crashed out after Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville were unable to score their spot-kicks.
Virgil van Dijk Slammed For Comments After Defeat
The Netherlands, despite being so impressive in the group stage, decided to play a completely different way against Morocco. Instead of playing a free-flowing, attacking style of football, Koeman's side decided to defend deep and let Morocco have the majority of the ball.
That style of play limited the Netherlands to 30% and just three shots on target. Ultimately, it didn't play off as the Netherlands crashed out of the competition.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk , who played the full match but did not take a spot-kick, is adamant that the game plan worked. He told NOS just after the game, per vi.nl : "[It's] Very difficult to analyze it now.
"An intense match. I think we were well organized defensively. They basically couldn't find the open man between the lines. So the game plan worked, of course. I think we scored a good goal. Ultimately, in injury time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties; unfortunately, we get knocked out.
"If you look at almost all the big teams at the World Cup: they also just drop back and they also wait for the right moment to apply pressure. We trained hard on this for two days; at times it went well. Of course, there are always things that can be improved, but anyway: that doesn't help us right now."
Van Dijk's belief that the game plan worked has not gone down well with football fans. One said: "Tone deaf from someone of his caliber." Another commented: "What major teams are dropping deep? The only teams dropping deep I’ve seen are the true underdogs without the quality."
A third wrote: "Yes Virgil, gameplan succeeded greatly! Much success! Managed to get a draw after parking the bus for 90 minutes, conceding after going 1-0 up and then missing 3 pens. Good process!"
A fourth said: "What a clown", while a fifth called the Liverpool star "Virgil Van Delusional."
Ronald Koeman Defends Defensive Tactics
Koeman has come under fire following the Netherlands' defeat, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic blaming him for their exit. Despite the criticism, he is adamant that he was right to set up his side to play defensively.
He said after the match, per the Guardian: “You can think whatever you like but we gave away much less against a team that was stronger than [group stage opponents] Sweden and Tunisia. If I had to do it again I’d do it all the same way. As the Dutch coach when the equaliser is scored I am always going to be scolded for the fact I chose five defenders.
“But you criticise, which is your right. You watch from the sidelines, I’m here with the team and, once again, I’d do it again.”
Morocco will now play co-hosts Canada for a place in the quarter-final. The match will take place at Houston Stadium on Saturday, July 4.
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