Watch: June 29 déjà vu! Justin Kluivert repeats his father Patrick Kluivert’s penalty kick 26 years later

The Dutchman Justin Kluivert (7) reacts after an unconverted penalty. (AP photo) Football can be cruel, and for the Kluivert family it brought an extraordinary case of history repeating itself. Almost 26 years after Patrick Kluivert’s heartbreaking penalty ended the Netherlands’ European Championship dream, his son Justin Kluivert met almost the same fate as the Netherlands crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Morocco.The Netherlands suffered their first ever exit from the World Cup after losing 3-2 on penalties to Morocco following a thrilling 1-1 draw after extra time, with Justin Kluivert missing from the Dutch side.

History repeats itself for the Kluiverts

This coincidence stunned football fans around the world. On 29 June 2000, Patrick Kluivert failed to convert a crucial penalty in the UEFA Euro semi-final, contributing to the elimination of the Netherlands.Almost exactly 26 years later, Justin Kluivert experienced the same nightmare. Introduced late in extra-time with a penalty shoot-out in mind, the Netherlands striker failed to convert his free-kick as Morocco completed one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The striking parallel between father and son immediately sparked comparisons across social media, with many describing it as one of football’s most amazing coincidences.WATCH:Dutch coach Ronald Koeman admitted that this moment was particularly painful.“The last substitution I made was I brought on Justin (Kluivert) because he’s one of the best in the penalty shootout. But he missed the penalty and that’s even more bitter for him and for us.”

Moroccan scenario another famous chapter of the World Cup

Morocco once again demonstrated their rising position on the world stage by defeating the Dutch in a thrilling encounter that ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 72nd minute before Issa Diop’s dramatic header forced extra time in stoppage time. Neither side found a breakthrough in the next 30 minutes and the game went to penalties.Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved to be the hero with a crucial save from Crysencia Summerville before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the winning penalty to send the Atlas Lions into the last eight.The defeat marked the Netherlands’ third straight World Cup elimination via penalty shootout and their earliest exit in the history of the tournament.