Netherlands record in World Cup penalties: How devastating loss to Morocco adds to bleak history

Netherlands appeared to be playing with a penalty shootout in mind on Monday, approaching extra time against Morocco with more of a conservative approach than an aggressive one, but the strategy backfired.

The Dutch were able to survive extra time to get to penalties, but Morocco prevailed after two Netherlands shots missed the goal entirely.

The loss was a first for the Netherlands, as they had reached at least the Round of 16 in every previous World Cup appearance, but the style of their exit was all too familiar.

Here's a look at how penalty shootouts have doomed the Netherlands in recent World Cup appearances.

MORE: Expert World Cup Round of 32 predictions

Netherlands record in World Cup penalties

Netherlands is now 1-3 in World Cup penalty shootouts, with three consecutive losses.

The Dutch won on penalties against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup before exiting the tournament on penalties against Argentina in the semifinals. After missing the World Cup entirely in 2018, the Dutch memorably lost again to Argentina in the quarterfinals in a thriller, losing the penalty shootout 4-3.

On Monday night, a game the Netherlands led at the start of stoppage time turned into a loss on penalties after the Dutch spent most of extra time playing conservatively. They missed three of their last four penalty kicks, including two that Morocco's goalkeeper didn't even need to handle, and suffered their third consecutive devastating World Cup exit — this time, earlier than ever before.

Here's a look at how the Netherlands has been eliminated in each of their last three World Cup appearances.

MORE: Why Cody Gakpo was brought to tears after goal vs. Morocco

Netherlands World Cup penalties history

2014: Penalty shootout loss vs. Argentina in semifinals

The Netherlands successfully held Lionel Messi and Argentina in check for 120 minutes in the first World Cup semifinal to ever be scoreless entering a penalty shootout, but penalties did not go the way of the Dutch.

Messi scored on Argentina's first penalty kick, instantly giving his side a 1-0 advantage after a miss from Ron Vlaar, and Argentina would later take a 3-1 lead on a strike from Sergio Aguero. The Netherlands stayed alive with goal No. 2 of the shootout, but Maxi Rodriguez ended it and sent Argentina through to the final.

2022: Penalty shootout loss vs. Argentina in quarterfinals

The Netherlands mounted a late comeback after falling behind 2-0 in this rematch with Messi and Argentina, getting two goals from Wout Weghorst including the game-tying score deep into stoppage time, but that momentum didn't carry over to penalties.

The Dutch missed their first two kicks, falling behind 2-0, only to score three straight and miraculously keep their hopes alive. An Enzo Fernandez miss kept the door open for the Netherlands, but Lautaro Martinez drilled the final attempt for Argentina to avoid going to a sixth kick.

A thriller that seemed to turn the Netherlands' way late, it ended in devastation for the Dutch and kept Argentina on the path to a title.

2026: Penalty shootout loss vs. Morocco in Round of 32

Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead with a goal in the 72nd minute on Monday, but a header by Morocco in the opening seconds of stoppage time evened the score, and the Dutch appeared to be content going to penalties with a conservative approach in extra time.

Despite scoring on their first penalty kick, the Netherlands fell behind and ultimately lost after missing three of their last four attempts to suffer their earliest World Cup exit to date.