‘That makes me angry’ – Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes aim at Ronald Koeman after Netherlands exit

Ronald Koeman has been slammed for abandoning the Netherlands’ ‘identity’ in their World Cup defeat to Morocco.

His side were beaten on penalties in the round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday night.

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Despite taking a second half lead through Cody Gakpo, the three-time finalists could not hold on to secure victory.

Instead, Issa Diop equalised for Morocco in stoppage time, with neither side able to break the deadlock in the additional period.

Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all subsequently missed from 12 yards for the Netherlands.

Those errors allowed the 2022 semi-finalists to advance to the round of 16 despite Neil El Aynaoui missing their first spot-kick.

Achraf Hakimi also hit the post with his effort, but his blushes were spared by Ismael Saibari’s winning penalty.

No Dutch courage

Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not hold back with his assessment of the Netherlands’ performance following their exit from this summer’s tournament.

The former Sweden striker took aim at Koeman’s defensive set-up, blaming the manager for his side’s exit.

Ibrahimovic played under Koeman during his breakthrough years at Ajax in the early noughties.

Reacting on FOX Sports’ post-match coverage, Ibrahimovic said: “I think this loss is on Koeman because I didn’t recognise this Dutch team.

“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 Netherlands ended the match with less than 30 per cent possession and had just two shots on target in 120 minutes.

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Koeman response

Koeman, who is out of contract at the end of the tournament, defended his defensive approach.

The former Barcelona manager instead lamented his side’s bad luck after their defeat on penalties.

Speaking after the match, he admitted: “The atmosphere in the locker room was dramatic.

“When you see things like the penalty (from Soufiane Rahimi) that went under (Bart) Verbruggen, it’s because it wasn’t meant to be for us.

“I decided to play this way because we gave too much space in the group stage. We needed to mark better.

“Morocco is an excellent team, with star players. So, I decided this after a meeting with the group. I don’t regret it one bit.

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“I was trying to change the team according to the thinking about who could take the penalties. I lost (Frenkie) de Jong, I lost Gakpo. So I was trying to put in capable people. It didn’t work, what can you do?”

Bart Verbruggen had gone the right way for Morocco’s second penalty from Soufiane Rahimi, only for the ball to squirm under him and into the net.

Meanwhile, both Frenkie de Jong and Gakpo were replaced during extra-time.

Unwanted history

The defeat marks the first time in the Netherlands’ World Cup history that they have failed to reach the last 16 after qualifying for the finals.

In their 11 previous appearances, they had reached at least the round of 16 on every occasion.

Meanwhile, their loss to Morocco is the first time they have not won their first knockout stage match since 2006.

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Their opponents now progress after maintaining a stunning recent record from 12 yards.

They have now won their last four shootouts, including a win over Spain at the last World Cup.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side will now take on Canada for a place in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Houston.