Watch: Moroccan fans clash with Dutch police in The Hague after Morocco knocks Netherlands out of World Cup

Moroccan fans celebrate after the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Morocco in The Hague. (AP photo) Morocco’s dramatic 2026 FIFA World Cup victory over the Netherlands sparked contrasting scenes across two continents, with riotous celebrations erupting in Casablanca, while clashes erupted between soccer fans and police in the Dutch city of The Hague following the Atlas Lions’ historic qualification for the last 16.Morocco stunned the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw after extra time, condemning the Dutch to their earliest ever exit from the World Cup and setting up a last-16 clash against co-hosts Canada.

Celebrations are chaotic in The Hague

The Netherlands is home to a large Moroccan community and thousands of supporters celebrated Morocco’s victory well into the night. However, the celebrations in The Hague’s Schilderswijk district turned violent after the police intervened.According to Dutch police, “heavy fireworks were set off” during the celebrations, with fireworks and rocks attacking officers. Riot police were deployed to restore order, attacking the crowds and using water cannon to disperse the gathering.Police confirmed that “several individuals have been arrested for committing open violence”.Meanwhile, more than 2,000 kilometers away in Casablanca, there was an atmosphere of unbridled joy.When Ismael Saibari converted the winning penalty, the tense silence in the cafés packed with supporters immediately turned into deafening celebrations. Fireworks lit up the night sky as fans poured into the streets, waving Moroccan flags, honking car horns and chanting well past midnight.Despite the early hours of the morning and the work day ahead, hundreds of supporters continued to celebrate until dawn, gathering on Casablanca’s main boulevards and chanting: “Canada, we’re coming for you.”

Hakimi: “Qatar was unlucky”

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said the win proved his side’s remarkable run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals was not a one-off.“It was a complicated and extremely difficult match. We knew who we were up against and we prepared well physically because we knew it would be a grueling match, but we also knew it would be even tougher mentally,” Hakimi told the broadcaster.“We kept our full concentration until the end, showed the true spirit of this team and are incredibly proud of this victory.”Hakimi also responded to critics who claimed Morocco’s success in Qatar was a one-off.“There were many people who thought that what happened in Qatar was just a fluke. But we focused and hard work always pays off. Today we reaped the fruits of that effort,” he said.