Morocco defeated the Netherlands on penalties in the World Cup round of 32 in Monterrey, Mexico, in the early hours of Tuesday. The result sparked jubilant scenes in Moroccan cities and among the Moroccan diaspora in the Netherlands, but in several Dutch cities, festivities escalated into confrontations with police.

According to Dutch police, the most serious disturbances occurred in the Schilderswijk district of The Hague, where officers were pelted with heavy fireworks and stones. Riot police deployed water cannon and carried out charges to disperse crowds. Authorities confirmed at least 17 arrests across The Hague and Rotterdam for public violence and disorder. Similar, smaller-scale unrest was reported in Amsterdam and Utrecht, with masked individuals overturning barriers. No serious injuries have been confirmed.

Viewed from Rabat and Casablanca, the night was one of unbridled celebration. Thousands filled the streets, waving flags, sounding horns, and chanting “Dima Maghrib” (Always Morocco) until dawn, with no reports of significant violence. Moroccan state media showed fans dancing on major avenues, undeterred by the late hour and the working day ahead.

The match carried deep emotional resonance because many Moroccan internationals were born or raised in the Netherlands and came through Dutch youth academies. The victory, which eliminated the Netherlands at the earliest stage in their World Cup history, prompted a sharp political response. Far-right leader Geert Wilders initially posted a congratulatory AI-generated image, then later shared footage of the disturbances and called for the rioters and their families to be expelled. Dutch authorities have not linked the violence to any organised groups, and an investigation into the incidents is ongoing.