Anass Salah-Eddine is amazed: “I was indeed surprised by it.”

Leaving PSV player Anass Salah-Eddine knew how to win with Morocco over the Netherlands on penalties during last night and send Oranje home at the 2026 World Cup. It was an opportunity for Ismael Saibari to send coach Ronald Koeman’s team home, and the midfielder didn’t fail from eleven meters.

Although Koeman fielded four defenders throughout the group stage, the national team coach decided to shake things up against Morocco and put five men behind the ball. This happened in midfield at the expense of Tijani Reijnders, as Reijnders had to make way for Nathan Aké.

At the Atlas Lions, this change came as a surprise. Salah-Eddine tells ESPN after the match.

''Yes, actually, that was not expected by anyone. I was surprised by it, though. We just thought they would play 4-3-3, but nothing changed for us. Maybe only the way'', said the left back to ESPN.

Opposite the NOS, the defender, who came onto the field in the 74th minute, couldn’t have been happier after the victory. ''This is really great; I’ll never forget this evening and I’ll take it with me for the rest of my life. I was looking forward so much to playing against the Netherlands, against my friends. And then to show who the better side is. This evening is indescribable; I feel fantastic,'' said Salah-Eddine.

After the elimination of Oranje, the native Amsterdammer wants to achieve more with the Atlas Lions. ''It’s a World Cup match; we knew we had to give our all and fight for every meter. We did that, the whole team. I also found the Netherlands to be a tough opponent; they did well. I know our qualities—we’ve shown everyone what we’re worth. We’re going for the maximum, on to the next,'' concludes the defender.