The Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion after Morocco staged a dramatic comeback to eliminate Ronald Koeman’s side on penalties after a 1-1 draw, but much of the post-match discussion has centered not on the result itself, but on the Dutch manager’s tactical decisions.Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović launched one of the strongest criticisms of the tournament while working as a pundit for FOX Sports, laying the blame for the defeat squarely on Koeman. Thierry Henry, who joined him in the studio, also questioned Holland’s conservative game plan, arguing that Morocco deserved to progress because they remained true to their identity throughout the contest.Koeman, however, defended his approach, insisting he would make exactly the same decisions again despite the painful elimination.
The late collapse turns Dutch control into a penalty shootout
The Round of 32 clash appeared to be headed in the Netherlands’ favor when Cody Gakpo, playing just days after the heart loss of his newborn son, gave the Oranje the lead in the 72nd minute.The Liverpool striker’s goal seemed to be to send the Netherlands into the Round of 16, but Morocco refused to give up.
The Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo (11) celebrates the opening goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
In stoppage time, in the 91st minute, Issa Diop headed home the equalizer after a costly defensive lapse, sending the match into extra time and completely changing the momentum.From that point forward, Morocco increasingly controlled the proceedings. The Netherlands spent long periods defending deep, ending the latter stages of the contest with just 35 per cent possession as Koeman’s side retreated into a compact low block.
Morocco’s Issa Diop reacts after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept the Dutch alive with an outstanding save to deny Soufiane Rahimi during extra time, but the resistance ended in the penalty shootout when Ismael Saibari calmly converted the decisive point to send Morocco to the Round of 16, where they will face Canada.For the Netherlands, it brought an abrupt end to a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Ibrahimović delivers a fierce verdict on Koeman
Speaking on FOX Sports after the match, Ibrahimović made it clear that he believes the defeat was entirely self-inflicted.“This defeat is the fault of Koeman, because I did not recognize this Dutch team. They lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity. That makes me angry.” Ibrahimović said.The former AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United striker argued that the Netherlands are abandoning the attacking philosophy that has traditionally defined their football.“He always taught me: attack, attack, attack. This is not the Dutch identity. Today, Koeman looked like an Italian coach who plays not to lose, while the Netherlands always plays to win. If you lose, at least lose with your own identity and do not change.“This was not the Holland I’m used to seeing. You can also tell from the way they played that they didn’t feel comfortable. The possession is gone, the attacking football is gone. It just looked very bad, and it was all Koeman’s fault.“I thought it was absolutely nothing, really nothing at all.”Ibrahimović had promised when he joined FOX Sports’ World Cup coverage earlier this year that he would “wake up” the audience with honest analysis, and his assessment of the Netherlands’ elimination became one of the strongest post-match reactions of the tournament.
Henry also asks for the defensive change
Thierry Henry shared many of Ibrahimović’s concerns, although his criticism focused more specifically on Koeman’s tactical set-up.Before speaking Ibrahimović, Henry praised the Moroccan for being committed to his style of play throughout the evening.“The team that tried to win won,” Henry said. “They didn’t change their form. They went on what they are, their identity.”I contrasted that with the Netherlands, arguing that they seemed more concerned with protecting their advantage than extending it.“Morocco tried to win the game,” Henry said. “The Netherlands just tried not to lose.”Henry was particularly surprised by Koeman’s decision to deploy a back five in such an important elimination fixture.“You take out a midfielder to bring in a defender. By doing that, you’re basically saying you’re afraid of Morocco. It’s allowed, of course. If you win, you’re right. If you lose, you’re wrong.”“I’m really surprised, because Holland usually doesn’t play like that. But Koeman clearly had a different view on it.”The comments echoed Ibrahimović’s central argument that the Dutchman had moved away from the attacking identity that has long characterized his national team.
Koeman stands by his decisions despite criticism
Koeman rejected the suggestion that his tactics were responsible for the defeat and insisted that the defensive approach was necessary against one of the strongest teams in the tournament.“With this defensive approach, we gave up much less than we did during the (group) games,” Koeman said.“This was positive, but also we were less offensive. You can think about the tactics what you want, but we gave much less against a much stronger team than Sweden and Tunisia. And if I had to do it again, I would do it the same way.”The Dutch manager also argued that football often judges managers only by results rather than performances.“I also know that if Morocco had not equalized with that late goal, there would have been all kinds of compliments for me as the Dutch coach, but now, probably, I have to be replaced for the fact that I chose five defenders, but once again, I believe it was necessary.”Ultimately, Morocco’s dramatic comeback and victory on penalties ensured that the debate over Koeman’s tactical decisions overshadowed Holland’s elimination. While Ibrahimović and Henry wondered if the Oranje had abandoned their footballing identity, Koeman remained convinced that his plan was the right one, even if it ended with another painful exit from the World Cup.