Netherlands Penalty Curse: Dutch Crash Out of Third Straight FIFA World Cup in Shootout Defeat

The Dutch have now been eliminated in three consecutive World Cups via penalty shootouts, with their overall record in major tournaments among the worst for football's traditional giants

The Netherlands' World Cup dream ended in heartbreaking fashion once again after a penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026.

After Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead in the 72nd minute, Morocco responded through Issa Diop to force extra time before prevailing 3-2 in the shootout. Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all missed from the spot as the Atlas Lions booked their place in the Round of 16.

While the defeat was painful, it also continued one of the most unfortunate trends in World Cup history.

Netherlands eliminated on penalties for third straight World Cup

The Dutch have now exited three consecutive FIFA World Cups through penalty shootouts.

The sequence means the Netherlands have now suffered penalty heartbreak in three successive World Cups spanning 12 years.

Netherlands' poor World Cup penalty shootout record

Despite being one of football's traditional powerhouses, the Netherlands have won just one of their five penalty shootouts at the FIFA World Cup.

Their only World Cup shootout victory came in 2014 when Louis van Gaal famously substituted goalkeeper Tim Krul moments before penalties against Costa Rica.

One of the worst records among football's elite

The struggles extend beyond the World Cup.

Across the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship combined, the Netherlands have contested 10 major tournament penalty shootouts, winning only two.

Their record includes painful defeats to Denmark (1992), France (1996), Italy (2000), Brazil (1998), Argentina (2014 and 2022) and now Morocco (2026).

Overall major tournament penalty shootout record:

• Played: 10
• Won: 2
• Lost: 8

Morocco capitalise as Dutch attack misfires again

Beyond the shootout disappointment, the Netherlands will also reflect on another tournament where a lack of attacking firepower ultimately proved costly.

Cody Gakpo once again provided the breakthrough, but the Dutch struggled to create consistent chances after taking the lead. Morocco capitalised by forcing extra time before holding their nerve from the penalty spot.

For the Netherlands, another World Cup campaign has ended in familiar fashion-through the agony of penalties.