“Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supporters, the fans believe in us as well. It’s so important. They’re demanding, but it’s because they know just how far we can go.”

These were the words of Mohamed Ouabhi, the head coach of the Atlas Lions of Morocco, with which he explained the stunning defeat served the Het Nederlands Elftal (The Dutch Eleven), senior national football team of The Netherlands on Monday night at the ongoing 2026 World Cup.

Advertisement

Ouabhi, who described his team as “unstoppable,” said the feat came from a place of mental strength and strong build-up of physical and psychological power acquired in the last edition of the tournament in Qatar, adding that the best of the nation was yet to come.

Morocco, which prevailed over the Dutch team on penalties in the round-of-32 game after both sides exhausted the 120 minutes of regular and extra times had come from behind to drag the match to the point of spot kicks, with a stoppage-time header from Issa Diop to cancel out Cody Gakpo’s goal for the Oranjes.

The Atlas Lions, which would now face Canada, one of the co-hosts, next in a round-of-16 clash on July 4, had recorded 70 per cent of ball possession and more attempts than European team, making 878 passes, more than twice that of their opponent, with 91 percent accuracy.

Advertisement

The North African side, the first team in the continent with the most impressive record in the global competition, reaching semi-finals in the last edition, successfully implemented a highline strategy and attempted 193 successful forward passes with 80 percent in the final third, compared to Netherlands’ 37 percent success.

Stating that the team remained fearless against the Netherlands, resulting from a shift in the country’s mentality after the Qatari experience, added: “The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Morocco team, and I’m well placed to speak about this.

“What we need to be telling ourselves is no one can stop us,” he said. “We’re unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.

Advertisement

“But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we’ll go home, and 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, and that’s the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have.”

Advertisement

Not even Lamine Yamal’s second half introduction could help Spain break through the defence of debutants, Cape Verde, in their first ever meeting, as the ongoing World Cup event produced another one of the stunning results on Monday.

Yamal, the Barcelona superstar just recovering from a near two-month hamstring injury, was brought into the game in the second half to zest up the one-time world champion, but failed to break down the Cape Verde’s dogged defence.

Advertisement

Spain’s in the game played in Atlanta, one of the cities hosting the three-nation Mundial, displayed the same dismal outing, which saw them offering far less than the quality, which saw them lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.

The European champions, which have not won a knockout game ever since, failed to dominate the African side, replicating their less than impressing outings and their eventual exit in 2018 and 2022 editions, even with the claims of coach Luis de la Fuente that the squad was the best in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament.

Neither Yamal nor Nico Williams, who also was hit by an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute, were able to rise to the occasion against the 500,000 people African side, ranked 67 in the world, which is making their debut on the global stage.

Advertisement

In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain’s build-up.

Indeed the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.

The only serious move from the European champions only came at the  sixth minute to half-time, when Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.

Advertisement

Even after the break, the Blue Sharks, were also able to hold back from the onslaught as they did in the first half, where Vozinho, managed to make another superlative save against Aymeric Laporte’s header just before half-time.

Despite the excitement from the crowd after he was introduced, Yamal, billed as one of the stars of the tournament, failed to create any magic with his first touch being the set-up of a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too close to Vozinha.

In fact, Cabo Verde billed to take on Uruguay in Miami, nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon, who saved the occasion, to prevent the former world champions, billed to face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday from humiliation.

Advertisement

After a 20-trophy haul, including the 2022-23 season – his best – where he led the club to a historic Continental Treble: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola indicated his intention to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

Guardiola’s 20 trophy haul, within a 10-year period, included six Premier League titles and the club’s only Champions League, confirms his enviable place as a football manager, transcending Barcelona FC, Bayen Munich before berthing at the Etihad.

Advertisement

Beginning his highlight career at Barcelona in 2007, he had left the Catalonian Giants in June 2012 to berth at Allianz Arena, in Germany, in 2013 where he spent three years, enriching the club’s shelf with seven trophies before his exit in 2016 on his way to England.

Aston Villa’s visit to the Etihad on Sunday will be his final match in charge, although he is set to continue working for the City Football Group as a global ambassador.

“What a time we have had together!” Guardiola said in a club statement on Friday. Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time. Nothing is eternal; if it were, I would be here. Eternal will be the feeling, the people, the memories, the love I have for my Manchester City.”

Advertisement

News of the Catalans’ impending departure was first reported on Monday.

At that point, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was tight-lipped on his future as City missed out on the Premier League title to Arsenal 24 hours later.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who previously worked on Guardiola’s staff at City, has been widely reported as the man set to take over at the Etihad.

Advertisement

The 55-year-old’s trophy haul also included three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and three Community Shields.

Guardiola arrived in England as already one of Europe’s most decorated coaches.

His four-year spell at boyhood club Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 captured admirers across the globe, winning two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles.

Advertisement

He added three more league titles in three seasons at Bayern.

A similarly short spell was expected when City lured him to the Premier League.

But his influence has transformed the English game at all levels over the past 10 years.

Advertisement

Backed by the deep pockets of Abu Dhabi royalty, City have stepped out of the shadow of local rivals Manchester United to become the dominant force in the Premier League.

Guardiola’s brand of passing football has been copied from grassroots through to the elite level.

Even City’s competitors have turned to his disciples to catch up.

Advertisement

Arsenal’s 22-year wait to win the Premier League was ended by another of his former assistants, Mikel Arteta.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said his coaching philosophy was shaped by watching the City boss’ Barcelona team, while new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso moved to Bayern in the final years of his playing career to gain the experience of working under Guardiola.

The timing of Guardiola’s exit comes with the outcome of an investigation into more than 100 alleged breaches by City of financial regulations still to be released.

Advertisement

First charged by the Premier League in February 2023, an independent commission hearing concluded in December 2024, with the case hanging over City’s achievements on the pitch ever since.

Advertisement