Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to deny the Netherlands' fifth penalty, keeping out Crysencio Summerville's effort before Ismael Saibari stepped up to fire home the decisive spot-kick and seal a 3-2 shootout victory.

The win sends Morocco into a Round of 16 clash with co-hosts Canada in Houston on Saturday.

An enthralling encounter went the distance after Issa Diop glanced home a dramatic equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands closed in on victory.

The Dutch had taken the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo, who was playing just days after his partner confirmed the death of the couple's unborn son.

The Liverpool forward sank to the turf in tears after scoring and was embraced by his teammates in an emotional celebration.

But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi's cross deep into added time.

Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, with players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.

The Atlas Lions almost took the lead after 20 minutes when Neil El Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goalwards, only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Verbruggen was called into action again moments later, tipping Hakimi's fierce strike over the crossbar.

The physical nature of the contest was evident midway through the first half when Saibari was fortunate to avoid punishment after catching Jan Paul van Hecke with an elbow.

The Netherlands enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Their best opportunity of the opening half came when Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box that was brilliantly tipped over by Bounou.

Van Hecke, who required treatment after suffering a bloodied head in a collision inside the penalty area, was again at the centre of the action with a crunching challenge on El Aynaoui just before half-time.

Morocco almost struck before the interval when Saibari narrowly failed to connect with a dangerous cross that flashed across the face of goal.

The drama continued after the restart and appeared to swing in the Netherlands' favour when Ronald Koeman introduced Wout Weghorst following the hydration break.

The striker made an immediate impact, flicking on a long ball to release Summerville, whose low cross was turned home by Gakpo to give the Dutch the lead.

Marshalled superbly by Virgil van Dijk, the Netherlands looked set to progress before Diop's stoppage-time header rescued Morocco and forced an additional 30 minutes.

Morocco thought they had found the winner in extra time when Soufiane Rahimi raced through on goal in the 96th minute, but Verbruggen produced a stunning save to keep the scores level.

The match ultimately went to penalties and, despite El Aynaoui striking the crossbar with Morocco's opening kick, Bounou's heroics and Saibari's composed finish ensured the Atlas Lions booked their place in the last 16.

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