‘Makes me sick to my stomach!’ – Pierre van Hooijdonk blasts Netherlands’ ‘idiotic’ penalty run-ups after Morocco end World Cup dream

The Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Morocco, with former Oranje striker Pierre van Hooijdonk launching a furious attack on the team’s spot-kick approach.

Van Hooijdonk accused several Dutch players of using “idiotic” run-ups from 12 yards, admitting the painful shootout left him “sick to his stomach.”

Dutch stars criticised after shootout collapse

Following a tense 1-1 draw in Monterrey, Morocco secured a 3-2 victory on penalties after Justin Kluivert struck the post, Quinten Timber fired wide and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Crysencio Summerville.

Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, Van Hooijdonk could not hide his frustration at the way the Netherlands approached the decisive shootout.

Fellow former Netherlands international Ibrahim Afellay also criticised the team’s mentality, suggesting the current generation struggles to cope with the psychological pressure of major tournament penalty shootouts.

The defeat represents the Netherlands’ earliest World Cup exit in the modern era and extends their wait for a first world title.

Van Hooijdonk calls for simpler penalties

Rather than blaming nerves alone, Van Hooijdonk believes modern players overcomplicate penalties with elaborate run-ups instead of relying on straightforward technique.

“Pressure is something you cannot train for, but we have a national team coach who took 1,423 penalties during his playing career. He scored them all without doing anything crazy,” Van Hooijdonk said.

The former striker urged Ronald Koeman to encourage a more traditional approach from the penalty spot.

“Put the ball down, take a run-up and shoot.

“I would expect the national coach to have said: ‘Boys, everyone who takes a penalty is allowed to miss. But only in one way: a normal run-up and shoot.’

“All those idiotic things… it makes me so sick to my stomach.”

Morocco deserved their place in the last 16

Both Van Hooijdonk and Afellay agreed that Morocco were the superior side over the 120 minutes and felt the Netherlands were fortunate to even reach penalties.

Afellay admitted it was “a miracle” the Dutch survived long enough for the match to be decided from the spot, while Van Hooijdonk questioned Koeman’s tactical approach throughout the contest.

“Beforehand we thought they were good ideas, but when you see that it actually doesn’t work, you have to come up with something else,” he said.

“Morocco have a good team, but they are no France. They approached the match as if they had to play against France.”

Questions for Koeman after another major setback

The painful defeat is expected to intensify scrutiny on Koeman after another disappointing major tournament campaign.

Having exited in the round of 32 despite progressing through the group stage, the Netherlands are left to reflect on tactical decisions, missed opportunities and a penalty shootout that ultimately brought their World Cup ambitions to a crushing end.