Zlatan Ibrahimovic launched a scathing attack on Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman following the Dutch side’s penalty shootout exit at the hands of Morocco in the round of 32.
The Netherlands were eliminated after a 1-1 draw following extra time, with Morocco prevailing 3-2 in the shootout in Houston on 29 June. Cody Gakpo had given the Dutch the lead in the 72nd minute, only for Issa Diop to head home a stoppage time equaliser in the 91st minute after Chemsdine Talbi’s cross found him unmarked at the back post.
Neither side could find a winner across 30 additional minutes of extra time, sending the tie to penalties. Both teams missed two spot kicks apiece before goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a crucial save to deny Crysencio Summerville, setting up Ismael Saibari to convert the decisive penalty and send Morocco through.
Speaking on FOX Sports after the match, Ibrahimovic did not hold back in apportioning blame for the Dutch exit, placing it squarely on Koeman rather than his players. The former Sweden international said he did not recognise the team Koeman had put out, arguing the side had strayed far from traditional Dutch footballing identity.
Notably, Ibrahimovic has no Dutch heritage himself. The Swedish icon spent three years at Ajax between 2001 and 2004 and built much of his international career competing against the Netherlands rather than for them, making his comments all the more striking given his familiarity with the club’s footballing philosophy.
The criticism centres on accusations that Koeman abandoned the principles of totaalvoetbal, the fluid, attacking approach pioneered by Johan Cruyff that shaped the great Dutch sides of the 1970s. Critics, including Ibrahimovic, suggested the Netherlands played with uncharacteristic caution against Morocco rather than the relentless, possession based football the nation is traditionally associated with.
Koeman, who lifted the European Championship as a player in 1988, previously managed the Netherlands between 2018 and 2020 before departing for Barcelona, and returned to the national set up for a second spell. His tactical approach is now under fresh scrutiny following the criticism.
For Morocco, the win extends a remarkable run on the international stage following their historic run to the semi finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with this latest victory over the Netherlands underlining their status as a genuine force in the global game.
