midfielder and one of many membership captains, Frenkie de Jong, leaves the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a heartbreak.
Whereas the Barcelona midfielder produced a few of the best soccer of his profession and established himself because the heartbeat of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands aspect, one other painful penalty shootout in opposition to Morocco ended the ’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
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For Barcelona, nevertheless, the match provided a extremely encouraging reminder of De Jong’s significance, stories .
One other merciless exit for the Netherlands
The Netherlands have been eradicated within the Spherical of 32 after drawing 1-1 with Morocco earlier than shedding 3-2 within the penalty shootout.
Koeman’s aspect regarded set to progress when gave them the lead within the 72nd minute.
Nevertheless, Diop’s stoppage-time header pressured further time, and Morocco finally prevailed from the penalty spot thanks as soon as once more to the heroics of goalkeeper Bounou.
De Jong couldn’t encourage the Netherlands to a win vs Morocco. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
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After shedding on penalties to Argentina within the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and struggling the same destiny in Brazil in 2014, the Netherlands have now been eradicated in three consecutive World Cups through penalty shootouts.
De Jong emerged stronger
Regardless of the collective disappointment, De Jong’s particular person .
The Barcelona midfielder was one in all Koeman’s most dependable gamers, dictating the tempo of matches, orchestrating the crew’s build-up play and repeatedly carrying possession via opposition strains along with his driving runs.
Repeatedly, he served because the crew’s major outlet in possession, serving to the Netherlands management video games via clever positioning, composure and excellent distribution.
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Even in opposition to Morocco, in one of many match’s most bodily demanding matches, De Jong maintained his excessive requirements throughout the 110 minutes he was on the sector.
He continued to supply calm in possession, linked play successfully and tried to take care of attacking rhythm whilst the sport grew to become more and more chaotic throughout further time.
Finally, nevertheless, even his management was not sufficient to forestall one other painful Dutch exit.
Optimistic information for Barcelona
Whereas the World Cup resulted in disappointment for the Netherlands, Barcelona can take appreciable encouragement from De Jong’s performances.
Hansi Flick will welcome again a midfielder who has strengthened his fame as one of many world’s elite gamers in his place.
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The match confirmed what the Blaugrana supporters witnessed all through final season: when totally match, De Jong stays one of many recreation’s best controlling midfielders. His confidence, consistency and management all reached spectacular ranges through the World Cup.
For De Jong, the competitors ends with two very totally different tales. On one hand, he leaves having reaffirmed his standing as one in all Europe’s excellent midfielders and one in all Barcelona’s most necessary gamers heading into the brand new season.
On the opposite, one other heartbreaking penalty shootout extends the Netherlands’ painful World Cup historical past and denies him the worldwide success that his particular person performances arguably deserved.
For Barcelona, although, the largest takeaway is evident: De Jong returns from the World Cup enjoying a few of the greatest soccer of his profession and able to play a number one function beneath Flick as soon as once more.