00:00Merakko beat the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties on Monday to reach the World Cup last 16
00:05after their round of 32 tie ended in a dramatic 1-1 deadlock following extra time.
00:12Ismael Saibari converted the winning spot kick after Merakko goalkeeper Yassine Bouneu
00:18successfully saved Crescencio Somerville's penalty attempt.
00:22The victory sets up a highly anticipated meeting with tournament co-hosts Canada in Houston on Saturday.
00:29The high-stakes match moved into extra time due to a spectacular stoppage time header from Issa Diop
00:35who rose above Virgil van Dijk to convert a pinpoint cross from substitute Chemsdien Talby.
00:42The Netherlands had initially broken the second-half deadlock through Cody Gakpo
00:46who swept home a first-time finish in the 72nd minute following creative work from Crescencio Somerville.
00:53Gakpo broke down in tears during his emotional goal celebration
00:57playing just days after he and his partner tragically lost their unborn son during pregnancy.
01:03Merakko fashioned the better attacking chances before the halftime break
01:08with Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen producing a series of outstanding saves
01:13to deny Ayub Bouadie and Neil El-Ainoui.
01:16The Atlas Lions enjoyed immense vocal backing from thousands of Moroccan supporters and local Mexican fans
01:23who adopted the African side for the night at the final World Cup match played in Monterey.
01:29Local fans revived the famous No Era Penal chants throughout the evening,
01:34recalling the highly controversial penalty that helped the Netherlands eliminate Mexico at the 2014 World Cup.
01:41The penalty shootout featured multiple dramatic twists and turns,
01:46including Ashraf Hakimi striking the post with a chance to seal victory
01:50before Saibari ultimately kept his nerve to send Merakko through.
