Morocco go head-to-head with the Netherlands in the Round of 32 tonight in Mexico. Both teams reached the knockout stage after finishing their groups with seven points. The winner will move on to the last 16, while the loser will be knocked out.
The match will be played at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. Kick off is at 2:00am Morocco time on Tuesday, June 30, 3:00am in the Netherlands and 7:00pm local time on Monday. Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio will take charge.
Fans in Morocco can watch the match live on beIN SPORTS MAX 1 and beIN SPORTS MAX 3 with Arabic commentary. Fans who prefer English or French commentary can tune into beIN SPORTS MAX 5 or MAX 6. The game can also be streamed online in Morocco via the TOD TV app.
Viewers in the Netherlands can catch the live broadcast on NPO 1. For those looking to stream the match on smartphones, tablets, or computers, the action will be available live via the NOS website and the NPO Start app.
The Netherlands has been one of the tournament’s highest scoring teams, with 10 goals in three group matches. However, Ronald Koeman’s side has not kept a clean sheet.
Morocco has built its campaign on a solid defence. The Atlas Lions have conceded only three goals so far. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and captain Achraf Hakimi have played key roles, while midfielder Ismael Saibari has scored three goals to become Morocco’s top scorer in the tournament.
The Netherlands is expected to start with Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké, Reijnders, Schouten, Simons, Malen, Brobbey and Gakpo.
Morocco’s expected starting line-up is Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss and Saibari.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team knows it faces a different test but will stick to its style of play.
“The Netherlands is a different profile, a different challenge. It’s knockout football, where every mistake can be costly. But Morocco will remain true to its identity while adapting to the threats they present.”
He said the players understand what is at stake.
“Tomorrow, we will play our fourth World Cup match, and it’s our first in the knockout stage. It’s a match that cannot be shared between two teams. We fully understand the nature of this stage.”
Ouahbi said Morocco must find new solutions for a different kind of game.
“In the last three matches, we have shown that we are capable of good performances and that we have a strong personality on the field. But tomorrow’s match is different and requires different solutions. It is with this mentality that we will enter the game.”
He also said wearing the Morocco shirt gives the players extra motivation.
“Representing the national team is our biggest motivation. That feeling gives the players even greater determination to overcome every challenge and produce a performance that lives up to the expectations of the Moroccan people.”
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said his team has prepared for the possibility of a penalty shootout against Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
“Penalty shootouts against Morocco with Bono in goal? We know we lost our last two shootouts. If it comes to that stage, we’ll try to win it. We train for penalty shootouts regularly and give them special attention in practice.”
The Netherlands beat Morocco 2-1 at the 1994 World Cup and has never lost to an African team at the World Cup.
