Mohamed Ouahbi has hailed Morocco’s tactical discipline, patience and unwavering self-belief after the Atlas Lions stunned the Netherlands national football team to book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Morocco edged the Dutch 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout after both sides battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation and extra time in Monterrey, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou producing a decisive save before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the winning spot-kick.
Reflecting on the memorable victory, Ouahbi said his players fully deserved their progress, insisting Morocco controlled the contest for long spells and showed composure when it mattered most.
“We dominated possession, created more chances and remained patient throughout the game. Our belief never faded, and that made the difference,” the Moroccan coach said after the match.
Ouahbi also revealed he was surprised to see the Netherlands abandon their usual attacking setup for a more cautious five-man defence, interpreting the tactical switch as a sign of the growing respect Morocco now commands on the world stage.
“The fact they changed their system showed they respected our style of football. They knew we like to control the ball and dictate the tempo, so they adapted to us,” he explained.
The Moroccan manager credited his squad’s mentality and the passionate support of millions of fans back home for inspiring the team to another famous World Cup victory. He said the Atlas Lions are determined to keep their remarkable campaign alive after adding another historic chapter to Moroccan football.
“Our journey isn’t over. We want to keep making our supporters proud, and we believe we can compete against anyone if we play our football,” Ouahbi added.
Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada men’s national soccer team in the Round of 16, with confidence soaring as the African side looks to build on the momentum generated by one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
