Zlatan Ibrahimovic has launched a scathing attack on Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, accusing him of abandoning the team’s footballing identity following their round-of-32 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
The three-time World Cup finalists were eliminated on Monday night after a dramatic last-16 clash in Monterrey. The Dutch took a second-half lead through Cody Gakpo, but Issa Diop struck in stoppage time to level the score and force extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match proceeded to penalties, where Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville all failed to convert from the spot for the Netherlands.
Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, advanced to the round of 16 despite missing their first penalty through Neil El Aynaoui and seeing Achraf Hakimi hit the post. Ismael Saibari eventually stepped up to score the decisive spot-kick and seal the Dutch side’s fate.
Speaking on FOX Sports’ post-match coverage, Ibrahimovic, who played under Koeman during his early years at Ajax, did not hold back in his criticism of the manager’s tactical approach.
“I think this loss is on Koeman because I didn’t recognise this Dutch team,” Ibrahimovic said. “He lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity and that makes me angry. Lose with your identity. That’s who you are.”
The statistics painted a grim picture for the Oranje. The Netherlands ended the match with less than 30 per cent possession and managed just two shots on target across 120 minutes — numbers that Ibrahimovic suggested were completely uncharacteristic of Dutch football.
The former Sweden international’s comments reflect growing frustration among Dutch football purists, who have long prided the national team on its attacking philosophy and total football heritage. Koeman’s defensive setup against the African side appeared to prioritise containment over creativity, a strategy that ultimately backfired.
Morocco’s resilience and tactical discipline frustrated the Dutch throughout the contest, with the African side showing greater composure in the decisive penalty shootout.
For the Netherlands, the defeat marks another early exit from a major tournament, raising questions about Koeman’s future as head coach. Ibrahimovic’s blunt assessment is likely to intensify scrutiny on the manager, who now faces mounting pressure to restore the team’s traditional identity ahead of future competitions.
Morocco, meanwhile, will advance to the round of 16 with renewed confidence, continuing their bid to replicate or surpass their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022.
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