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The group stage of the World Cup has concluded, and now the knockout rounds begin — win or go home. With a berth in the Round of 16 against Canada up for grabs, the Netherlands will take on Morocco in one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the newly introduced Round of 32.

Who: Netherlands vs. Morocco What: World Cup Round of 32 Where: Estadio Monterrey (Estadio BBVA), Guadelupe, Mexico When: Monday, June 29, 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT Watch: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock ES, Fubo Sports

The Netherlands’ group stage campaign went almost perfectly according to plan. After a somewhat uncertain build-up during their pre-tournament friendlies, doubts lingered about their readiness for the World Cup. However, Ronald Koeman’s men quickly silenced those concerns with strong performances.

They began with a hard-fought draw against a talented Japan side, conceding a late equaliser despite being the better team for much of the match. The Dutch then dismantled Sweden with a clinical 5-1 victory, displaying ruthless efficiency in front of goal. They sealed top spot in Group F with a convincing 3-1 win over Tunisia.

One of the standout stories surrounding the Netherlands has been their loyal supporters, known as the Oranje Army. Renowned for their passionate displays at major tournaments, their presence has been impossible to miss in the United States. Before the decisive group match against Tunisia, over 36,000 Dutch fans dressed in orange gathered in Kansas City for their traditional march behind the Oranjebus. Expect to see them once again in full voice as they head south to Mexico for this knockout encounter with Morocco.

On the pitch, the Dutch have been just as impressive. The squad is packed with big-name players, and they have delivered when it matters most. Captain Virgil van Dijk has been commanding at the back while contributing offensively, scoring against Japan and assisting in the win over Tunisia. Cody Gakpo, his compatriot for both club and country, shone against Sweden with two goals and an assist for Brian Brobbey’s opener. Brobbey himself has been a handful for defenders, using his physical presence to great effect. After limited minutes in the opener, he started the next two games and found the net three times.

Morocco, meanwhile, captured global admiration during the 2022 World Cup with their stunning run to the semifinals. Defying all expectations, the Atlas Lions eliminated European powerhouses Spain and Portugal, making one of the most unforgettable underdog runs in modern World Cup history. This time, however, they arrive not as dark horses but as legitimate contenders.

Ranked sixth in the world, Morocco’s main squad has gone unbeaten in 40 matches (excluding the domestic-based B team in the African Nations Championship). Even considering the disputed AFCON final, their consistency is remarkable. The team’s resilience was on full display in their World Cup opener against Brazil, where they battled to a hard-earned draw. They followed that with a narrow 1-0 victory over Scotland and a 4-2 triumph against Haiti to secure second place in Group C.

Achraf Hakimi remains the star attraction for Morocco. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back continues to shine for his country, combining defensive discipline with attacking flair. He scored and assisted in the win over Haiti, underlining his all-around influence on the pitch.

Morocco’s unique tactical setup, which often operates without a traditional striker, has been spearheaded by PSV attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari. Poised for a high-profile transfer to Bayern Munich this summer, Saibari has emerged as Morocco’s breakout performer of the tournament. He scored in all three group games, providing the attacking spark that propelled the Atlas Lions forward. His early goals against Brazil and Scotland gave Morocco the foundation to protect their leads — a strategy that worked to perfection.

With both teams known for their strong defensive organisation and tactical discipline, this encounter promises to be a hard-fought and entertaining contest. Extra time and penalties could easily come into play, and that’s exactly the scenario predicted here. Expect Morocco to take an early lead and hold on for a 1-1 draw in regulation time, similar to their performance against Brazil. No goals are expected in extra time before Yassine Bounou steps up once again as Morocco’s penalty hero.

Prediction: Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco win on penalties 5-3)