Morocco reached the World Cup last 16 after a tense penalty shoot-out win over the Netherlands in Monterrey, and head coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes that result confirms the Atlas Lions can challenge any opponent, even while warning that one poor display could still end their tournament.

Ouahbi stressed that confidence must stay high but controlled, with every match treated as decisive. “What we need to tell ourselves is no-one can stop us,” he said. “We’re unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we’ll go home. We need to ensure that we have all the tools that we’re using, the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can. That’s the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have. Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supportersbelieve in us as well. It’s so important. They’re demanding, but it’s because they know just how far we can go.”

The last-16 spot came after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes against the Netherlands, followed by a 3-2 success on penalties. Issa Diop forced extra-time with a header deep into second-half stoppage time, while Yassine Bounou and Ismael Saibari became decisive figures during the shoot-out under heavy pressure.

Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi both failed to convert from the spot for Morocco, raising tension inside the stadium. Bounou then saved Crysencio Summerville’s effort, keeping the Atlas Lions level, before Saibari struck the winning penalty. The three-time World Cup finalists from Europe were eliminated despite long spells of possession.

Diop’s equaliser in Monterrey, officially timed at 90 minutes and five seconds, was the second-latest goal Morocco have scored in a World Cup match. The only later strike came from Zakaria Aboukhlal against Belgium in 2022, when Aboukhlal scored after 91 minutes and 51 seconds to seal that group stage victory.

Morocco have now won both World Cup matches that went beyond normal time. The first came in 2022 in Qatar, when Morocco defeated Spain on penalties in the round of 16. That success launched a run to the semi-finals, before Morocco finished fourth, their best performance at a World Cup.

Ouahbi believes this group can aim higher than that fourth-place finish, although expectations from supporters are already intense. The coach views that pressure as helpful, as long as players channel it correctly. He wants every squad member to understand that progress depends on discipline, not reputation or past achievements.

Morocco’s next challenge is a last-16 clash against Canada, one of the tournament co-hosts and enjoying the country’s strongest World Cup campaign. Many observers see Morocco as favourites to reach the quarter-finals, but the technical staff are preparing for a balanced contest against an organised opponent with clear tactical structure.

Ouahbi rejected any suggestion that the tie with Canada will be straightforward. “We know that it’s game after game, and people think that it’s going to be easy for us, it’s going to be a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case,” he added.Canada is a team that is going to be difficult for us.

Key facts from Morocco’s win over the Netherlands in Monterrey are shown below.

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Morocco’s dressing room scenes after qualification underlined how much this campaign means to the squad and staff, with celebrations quickly followed by recovery work and analysis of Canada’s style of play.

With knockout pressure increasing, Morocco enter the Canada match carrying belief from recent success in extra-time and penalty situations, a strong record from Qatar 2022, and a head coach who keeps warning that one mistake could still send the Atlas Lions home despite their growing status at this World Cup.