Morocco’s triumph ignited celebrations stretching from Casablanca to the Netherlands, where joyful moments in a major Moroccan diaspora in Europe later gave way to confrontations with law enforcement.
Following Morocco’s tense penalty shoot-out win against the Netherlands in the World Cup, exuberant celebrations erupted overnight in The Hague, which were subsequently marred by clashes with police and multiple arrests.
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The round of 32 match held in Monterrey ended 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco prevailing in a highly competitive penalty shoot-out. After several missed attempts from both sides, PSV Eindhoven’s forward Ismael Saibari successfully scored the decisive penalty, advancing the Atlas Lions into the last 16, where they are set to face co-host Canada.
Home to one of the largest Moroccan communities in the Netherlands, The Hague exploded in celebration following the winning penalty. Approximately 32,000 individuals of Moroccan heritage reside in the city, making up nearly 6% of its total population.
Many of these residents trace their origins to workers who arrived from northern Morocco following a bilateral labor recruitment treaty signed in 1969. Neighborhoods like Schilderswijk have emerged as hubs of Moroccan-Dutch culture.
In Schilderswijk, enthusiastic fans draped in Moroccan flags danced through the streets amidst honking car horns and fireworks displays. Several hundred supporters congregated at a busy intersection, tossing footballs into the air, celebrating alongside passing drivers, and occasionally climbing onto vehicles.
About an hour into the celebrations, riot police intervened to disperse the crowd using water cannons and baton charges. Roughly a dozen individuals were arrested, with officers restraining several young men before handcuffing them and escorting them away in police vans.
Dutch authorities stated that officers faced attacks during the unrest, while AFP noted that police responded by striking some youths with batons.
«Heavy fireworks were ignited» in Schilderswijk, police reported, stating that stone-throwing targeted officers as riot squads and water cannons were deployed to break up the gathering.
«Several people have been arrested for acts of open violence,» police confirmed.
Additional sources • AFP, AP