How Noussair Mazraoui fared as Morocco eliminate the Netherlands in thrilling shootout

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Noussair Mazraoui’s World Cup campaign remains alive as Morocco beat the Netherlands in a thrilling shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Netherlands vs Morocco was set to be the most closely contested knockout fixture in the Round of 32, and so it proved.

World No. 8 vs No. 7 went head-to-head in a close contest, as Noussair Mazraoui started at left-back after getting a rest in their last group stage game.

Here’s how he fared as Morocco played out a thrilling game against the Netherlands.

How Noussair Mazraoui fared for Morocco vs Netherlands

It was an interesting game to watch for Man Utd fans because Mazraoui was directly up against transfer target Crysencio Summerville.

Still, the Man Utd full-back could hold his head high at the end of 90 minutes, as he did all he could to preserve a clean sheet for Morocco.

Summerville assisted what the Netherlands thought would be the winner, but Mazraoui finished the game with the most defensive contributions (18).

With 101 touches as well, Mazraoui played out the perfect possession game as well. The only thing he could have done better is to be more adventurous with the ball.

It spoke volumes about the team’s trust in Mazraoui that even when they were chasing a goal late on, he wasn’t one of the players withdrawn.

He even won seven out of his nine duels, locking up his side completely, but his team needed more threat in the other half.

Late on, when Morocco needed an equaliser, they changed shape and Mazraoui shifted to the left side of a back three, a role he played to perfection again.

It was from his side that Morocco’s late equaliser came, as Issa Diop powered in a header from a cross from the left wing from Talbi.

He had his moment soon after, in injury time, with a remarkable last-gasp tackle on Summerville, which ensured that the game went to extra time.

As bodies around him were cramping, he stepped up a gear when Morocco started to boss possession.

Unfortunately, the possession didn’t lead to anything and the game went to penalties, where Mazraoui wasn’t needed as Morocco beat the Netherlands in a scrappy shootout to keep their campaign alive.