Netherlands vs. Morocco: 'They have weaknesses we must exploit' — Virgil van Dijk sets the tone for Morocco last-32 clash

Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk has acceptable his sights firmly connected Morocco up of their 2026 World Cup last-32 showdown successful Monterrey, promising to exposure the Atlas Lions' weaknesses aft his broadside confirmed the necktie with triumph implicit Tunisia.

The round-of-32 clash betwixt the Dutch and Morocco — wide anticipated arsenic 1 of the astir compelling knockout fixtures of the tourney — was confirmed pursuing the Netherlands' win. The 2 sides conscionable successful Monterrey, Mexico connected June 30.

Van Hecke: 'These are the matches you imagination of'

Centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke was archetypal to talk astir the situation ahead, the caller Tottenham Hotspur signing making wide his excitement portion paying important respect to Mohamed Ouahbi's side.

'It is simply a lucifer I americium truly looking guardant to,' said Van Hecke successful the mixed portion aft the last radical game.

'These are the matches you imagination of playing astatine a World Cup. Facing Morocco successful Monterrey volition beryllium an animated battle, virtually and figuratively. We cognize it volition beryllium difficult, but we indispensable travel retired victorious.'

Van Dijk acceptable to people Atlas Lions

Netherlands skipper and Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk was likewise bullish, praising Morocco portion making wide the Dutch mean to find and exploit their vulnerabilities.

'Morocco? I expect a large squad with precocious quality, but they besides person weaknesses we indispensable exploit,' Van Dijk told reporters. 'We person a fewer days to prepare, and we are truly looking guardant to it.'

This volition beryllium the 2nd clip Morocco and the Netherlands person met astatine a World Cup, 32 years connected from their archetypal encounter.

In the 1994 radical signifier connected 29 June successful Orlando, the Dutch ran retired 2-1 winners, with Hassan Nader scoring Morocco's consolation extremity from a Moustapha Hadji assistance — the aforesaid Hadji who present serves arsenic Morocco's adjunct manager.

Since that World Cup meeting, the 2 nations person clashed doubly successful affable fixtures. Morocco won 2-1 successful Arnhem successful April 1999, earlier the Netherlands gained revenge with a 2-1 triumph successful Marrakech successful May 2017.