The North Africans became the first team from Africa to book their place in the Round of 16 after edging past the Netherlands in a highly dramatic penalty shootout clash at Monterrey Stadium.
The Atlas Lions won 3-2 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following extra time, with custodian Yassine Bounou again proving decisive on the biggest stage.
Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute, but Morocco refused to go down and forced extra time through Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header.
After a tense additional 30 minutes failed to produce another goal, Soufiane Rahimi, Chemsdine Talbi and Ismail Saibari scored in the shootout to send Morocco through.
Morocco’s success came after South Africa lost their game against Canada to exit the stage.
Speaking after the game, Mazraoui explained how Morocco managed to beat the Netherlands, while admitting the North Africans are now on track to achieve their targets on the global stage.
Morocco on the right path
“Every World Cup is different,” Mazraoui told FIFA.com. “What we achieved was four years ago, and at every World Cup you want to show that you are capable of doing something new.
“So, I think we are on the right path as a federation and as a national team. I’m happy, and we will stay humble until the end.”
On facing the Netherlands, the Manchester United defender said: “We never lost our composure throughout the match, even in the final moments.
“We didn’t panic, even when they began to sit back and defend. In the end, there was a brilliant ball from Chemsdine Talbi, and Issa Diop equalised with an incredible header.”
He continued: “It was a very difficult match against a very strong opponent. They are one of the best teams you can face, without doubt.
“They are among the top 10 teams in the world and contenders to win the World Cup. So, the way we managed to win today says a lot about the work we have put in as a national team.”
Mazraoui also explained how the second half unfolded tactically. “We controlled the ball more in the second half, and I think that was also part of the Netherlands’ strategy.
“They wanted to play on the counter-attack and allowed us to have possession. I’m not saying that was the case for the whole match, but it was clear in the second half.”
He added: “Their plan worked to some extent because they scored the first goal from a counter-attack – a simple long ball, then a header, then the goal. But we managed to finish the match at 1-1 and take it to penalties.”
Morocco vs Canada will be difficult
On facing Canada in the Round of 16, Mazraoui said: “We will have a difficult match against Canada, definitely.
“They are in a good moment, they have a great team and they have a lot of quality as players. So, it will be another complicated task as we try to achieve something for Morocco again.”
Morocco had reached the round of 32 after finishing second in Group C with seven points, behind Brazil on goal difference.
With seven appearances at the World Cup, their defining historical moment came at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
Morocco will now face Canada on Saturday, July 4th at Houston Stadium, seeking to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
