Netherlands vs Morocco — Prediction

This is the standout tie of the round and close to a coin flip: the Netherlands topped Group F off a red-hot 5-1 win over Sweden and a 3-1 over Tunisia, while Morocco — 2022 semi-finalists who knocked out Spain and Portugal on penalties — bring Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and the in-form Ismael Saibari, scorer of three group goals. The deciding factor, narrowly, is Dutch attacking firepower through Gakpo, Brobbey and Reijnders against a Moroccan defence shorn of the tournament-ended Nayef Aguerd and rebuilt around Issa Diop, a back line that already shipped two to Haiti. Morocco's compact mid-block and Bounou in goal make them dangerous on the counter and well-equipped to drag this long, which is why the lean is slim and the risk to it is real. With both sides carrying genuine match-winners and so little between them, a draw after 90 minutes that runs to extra time and penalties is firmly in play. The Netherlands to edge a high-quality game, but Morocco are more than capable of turning it.