THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Soccer fans clashed with police in The Hague and celebrated in Casablanca after Morocco sent the Netherlands to an early elimination. world cup Exit, Defeated Dutch in penalty shootout on Monday night.
The Netherlands has a large Moroccan community and Moroccan fans. morocco soccer team After the victory, there was a festive mood, but there were also sporadic clashes.
The Hague police said there was a “heavy display of fireworks” in the Schilderswijk area, and police officers were pelted with fireworks and stones. Riot police charged into the crowd and used water cannon to disperse the gathering.
“Several people have been arrested for committing public violence,” police said in a statement.
As the penalty shootout reached its climax, the tense silence inside a fan-favorite coffee shop in Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, was replaced by a deafening roar as Ismael Saibari sank the decisive spot-kick, sending his team through to the round of 16.
Celebrations quickly spilled into the streets, with smoke bombs and fireworks blaring overhead, horns blaring, engines blaring, and fans celebrating into the night.
Despite a late kickoff and work commitments, dozens of jubilant fans gathered on Casablanca’s main boulevards around 5 a.m. local time, dancing in the streets, waving Moroccan flags and chanting “Canada, we’re coming for you.”
Morocco will play co-hosts Canada in their next match on Saturday. The Atlas Lions previously defeated Canada 2-1 in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Expectations are high in Morocco, where supporters are dreaming of a historic breakthrough like the one they made four years ago when they became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
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Akram Obachir in Casablanca, Morocco contributed to this report.
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