Is Morocco win a sign of a ‘new era’ in the World Cup?Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros of The Cooligans discuss the changing balance of international soccer after react to Morocco's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. Check out the full conversation on the “The Cooligans” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.2:22Now PlayingPaused
Netherlands-Morocco Preview: Can the Dutch offense overpower Morocco's defense?3:02Now PlayingPaused
Why we should take the Netherlands seriously as World Cup contenders3:31Now PlayingPaused
Netherland-Japan Preview: Can Japan’s style surprise a superpower?2:25Now PlayingPaused
Canada's Cinderella World Cup run + USMNT cracking under pressure? | Cooligans Daily Live54:07Now PlayingPaused
Brazil's World Cup opening draw was a dud - and Neymar won't save the day2:33Now PlayingPaused
Japan's resiliency leads to impressive draw with Netherlands2:46Now PlayingPaused
Netherlands-Sweden Preview: Will Dutch ‘urgency’ win the day?2:31Now PlayingPaused
Brazil-Morocco Preview: Why Brazil will need to be sharp in opener2:04Now PlayingPaused
Scotland-Morocco Preview: Scots can cause Group C chaos2:23Now PlayingPaused
Spain-Saudi Arabia Preview: Can Spain ‘lock in’?2:23Now PlayingPaused

Is Morocco win a sign of a ‘new era’ in the World Cup?

Alexis Guerreros·Christian PolancoTue, June 30, 2026 at 6:21 PM UTC

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros of The Cooligans discuss the changing balance of international soccer after react to Morocco's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands. Check out the full conversation on the “The Cooligans” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Video Transcript

Is this considered an upset?

We were having this conversation.

It feels like one, and I know Morocco's an incredible team, and they were the better team on the night.

I don't think I'd ever see Netherlands bunker down.

Yeah.

That's not the Netherlands way, and this is absolutely their fault.

But Morocco?

That's crazy, right?

Netherlands, a lot of people You were I was, I was down on both of these n- nations, by the way, but you were thinking Netherlands could go a long way.

Netherlands defeat Morocco defeats the Netherlands in penalties and books its place in the round of 16.

The fact that this happened felt, in the moment, like maybe it wasn't so much an upset, but it was a little bit of a passing of the torch in a way.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

It was like ushering in a new era- I mean- because the Netherlands felt, at moments, just like very non-Dutch the way they were playing.

I mean, when you look at, possession here, se- 70 to 30, I mean, if you would've said this be- That's the Netherlands.

I Exactly.

i- if you would've said this before the game, that Morocco would have 70% possession on the Netherlands- I'd say, "How many players on Netherlands got red cards?"

That's what I would've said.

So, i- it is kind of crazy.

I, I think this is kind of what we were talking about before with Germany and Paraguay, the preparation going into the tournament.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

you're not playing, you know A- and, and I guess the, the comparison for Morocco is like, qualifying through AFCON, p- or, qualifying through CAF, playing in AFCON.

The, the, I mean- Yeah this team has very recent experience of very, very difficult moments and- You're playing finals in every game.

That's how it feels in CAF essentially, yeah.

And, and yeah, maybe some people may, may not call it the prettiest of football- Sure but, but Morocco, were They were poised.

They were c- they were, confident even after going down in the g- in the game.

More than anything, they It felt like they were ready for the moment, you know what I mean?

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Yeah, yeah.

It felt like no one felt shocked.

Even when it got to pens, to me it was like, oh, I'm seeing the eyes on the Moroccan players.

They're ready for this.

Sure.

And I was looking at the Netherlands players, and this is, like, a big thing.

I always wonder, I always look at how long after the whistle's blown when the, the penalty's ready to be taken.

Mm-hmm.

How much longer does it take for the, for the, the penalty kick taker to go into action?

A lot of times you just see them breathe.

The faster that is, the more confident I feel like that penalty taker is.

The faster that is, the more confidence I have that that penalty taker is gonna take at least a good shot- and it needs a miracle to be saved.

But these Netherlands players were taking a lot of time, and I'm like, "Now's not the time to be choosing where to go."

May you like

NBA pulls potential $3M OG Anunoby Game 4 ball from auction to give to K...

NBA pulls OG Anunoby Game 4 ball from auction to give to Knicks...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's INSANE wedding prep in photos

Just days before Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's blockbuster wedding for the ages, lavish new accessories were seen being hauled i...

LeBron James drops biggest hint yet about NBA future with teasy video

LeBron James drops biggest hint yet about next NBA destination...

You gotta just- You should've had that in the walk up.

Yeah, yeah.

Is Morocco win a sign of a ‘new era’ in the World Cup?

Video Transcript

May you like

Other posts