Morocco’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup sparked jubilant celebrations far beyond the stadium in Monterrey, with members of the Moroccan community in Beijing gathering to witness one of the national team’s latest historic achievements.
Thousands of kilometres away from the Round of 32 contest in Mexico, dozens of Moroccans living in the Chinese capital assembled at a hotel, where the Moroccan Embassy had organised a public viewing of the match.
The event brought together students, professionals and families, all united by hopes of seeing the Atlas Lions progress to the last 16.
The gathering reflected the growing sense of pride surrounding Morocco’s national team, whose penalty shootout triumph secured another milestone on the global stage and set up a Round of 16 meeting with Canada.
Kick-off came at 9:00am local time in Beijing, but the unusual hour did little to dampen enthusiasm among supporters.
Inside the hall, Moroccan flags filled the room while fans wore national team shirts and watched the encounter on a giant screen.
The atmosphere shifted repeatedly as the contest unfolded, with emotions swinging from optimism to anxiety before ending in celebration.
Silence fell when the Netherlands took the lead, but the mood changed dramatically after Issa Diop’s stoppage-time equaliser forced extra time.
Supporters then endured another tense period as the match headed to penalties before Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick that sealed Morocco’s victory.
The winning penalty prompted scenes of celebration throughout the venue.
Fans applauded, embraced one another and chanted as some rushed towards the stage waving Moroccan flags, while others captured the emotional moment on their mobile phones.
For many, the occasion was about more than football.
Artificial intelligence student Chehab Mettioui described the experience as unforgettable.
“We experienced tension and sadness after the Netherlands’ goal, before the atmosphere shifted to immense joy following the equalizer and the victory in the penalty shootout.”
University professor Mohamed Amine Khachfi also reflected on the occasion, calling it a memorable moment for Moroccans living abroad.
Khachfi said it was the first time he had watched a Moroccan national team match in China in such an atmosphere.
He also expressed gratitude to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in China for bringing members of the community together around the national flag, saying supporters remained confident the team would find a way through until the closing stages.
Actor Khalid Ghanem, who is based in Beijing, said he had also followed Morocco’s remarkable journey during the 2022 World Cup from China and entered this year’s tournament believing another landmark achievement was possible.
He said the current squad continues to demonstrate a mentality capable of competing with football’s traditional powers.
“Today, we are watching a team that plays with a winning mentality, especially as the players assert their presence on the pitch.
“I never imagined a day when Morocco would force the Netherlands to drop back into a defensive stance; this confirms that we possess a world-class team worthy of the status it has attained.”
The celebrations illustrated the global reach of Morocco’s football success, with supporters separated by continents sharing in the same emotions.
