Atlas Lions boss praises players’ belief and fighting spirit after dramatic World Cup 2026 knockout win.
Sports | FIFA World Cup 2026
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi says the Atlas Lions have earned worldwide respect after their dramatic victory over the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the team’s performances have now spoken louder than words.
Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, setting up a clash with co-hosts Canada this weekend.
Despite requiring a penalty shootout to progress, Morocco dominated much of the encounter, with Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen producing a standout display to keep his team in the contest.
Speaking after the match, Ouahbi said Morocco’s progress has been built on determination, confidence and belief.
“Morocco has gained everybody’s respect now. It’s not because of what we’ve said. We’ve now shown it,” Ouahbi told reporters.
The coach, who stepped up from Morocco’s Under-20 setup after helping guide the country’s youth teams to success, said the players are motivated by a purpose beyond football.
“This team, and all the Moroccan youth teams, are fighting for much more than just football or simply winning a match,” he said.
Ouahbi praised the support from millions of Moroccan fans around the world, saying their passion gave the team extra strength during the difficult moments.
“They know that behind them there are millions and millions of people. We played when it was two in the morning in Morocco and we are certain that most people stayed awake. That gives you the energy not to give up, to keep going and to believe in yourself,” he added.
Morocco Controlled the Match
Although Morocco needed penalties to secure victory, Ouahbi insisted his side were the better team throughout the match.
“We completely dominated a Netherlands team. We had 70 percent possession, more shots and more expected goals. We controlled the match,” he said.
The coach explained that Morocco remained calm and trusted their preparation, especially knowing they had a reliable goalkeeper for the shootout.
“We wanted to stay calm, play our game and believe that if it went to penalties we had an exceptional goalkeeper. We didn’t turn the match into a chaotic battle. We controlled it.”
Ouahbi also said he was surprised by the Netherlands’ defensive approach, describing it as a sign of the growing respect Morocco commands internationally.
“I really didn’t expect this kind of low block because the Netherlands like to have the ball and are very strong when they do. I saw this type of play as a form of respect,” he said.
The victory continues Morocco’s rise on the global stage following their historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, with the Atlas Lions now aiming for another deep tournament run in 2026.
