The Netherlands’ impressive World Cup run came to a dramatic end after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco at Monterrey Stadium, bringing one of the tournament’s most consistent streaks to a close.

The defeat marks the first time since 2006 — and only the second time in history — that the Dutch have failed to reach the quarterfinals. Despite strong performances in recent tournaments, including a runner-up finish in 2010, third place in 2014, and a quarterfinal appearance in 2022, the Dutch exit this time falls short of expectations.

Their attacking momentum was also halted, with a six-match streak of scoring multiple goals ending — the longest such run in the nation’s World Cup history.

However, despite the disappointment, the Netherlands leaves the tournament with notable records intact. The side remains unbeaten in 16 consecutive World Cup matches, extending a remarkable streak that dates back to the 2010 final. With 10 wins and six draws, their resilience continues to stand out on the global stage.

Importantly, the Dutch have not suffered an outright World Cup defeat since that 2010 final. Their eliminations in both the 2022 and 2026 editions came via penalty shootouts, meaning those results are officially recorded as draws.

In this campaign, the Netherlands also showed consistency by never trailing in any of their matches. They secured two wins in the group stage and managed draws without falling behind, though they were unable to keep a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

While the elusive World Cup title remains out of reach, the Netherlands once again underlines its reputation as one of football’s most consistent and enduring performers on the sport’s biggest stage.