Sports
Virgil van Dijk Blasted For Not Taking a Penalty in Netherlands’ World Cup Exit v Morocco
Virgil van Dijk has been criticised for his actions during the Netherlands‘ defeat to Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
The Liverpool star was named in the Netherlands’ starting lineup for their last 32 against the AFCON champions at Monterrey Stadium.
Ronald Koeman’s side took the lead in the 72th minute through Cody Gakpo, but were pegged back in stoppage-time when Issa Diop headed home.
The match was decided on spot-kicks, and it was Morocco who eventually triumphed as the Netherlands crashed out of the competition.
Virgil van Dijk Criticised For Lack of Leadership
Van Dijk’s leadership during the match has come into question, with many thinking that he should have taken a penalty in the shootout.
Six Netherlands players took penalties, with Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville the three players to fail to score from the spot.
The 34-year-old has taken penalties in high pressure situations before, famously scoring a penalty in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2022. He also took a penalty against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, which was saved by Emiliano Martinez.
ESPN pundit Craig Burley thinks he should have stepped up and took responsibility. He said: “I think with the inexperienced players, and they did have quite a few inexperienced players off the bench, Holland, that is, in the game at the end.
“I think I’d really want my skipper Van Djk to step up and take the responsibility of a penalty kick. He’s a good striker of the ball. Unless he was injured, I don’t think there’s any excuse for your skipper to stand up and take that pressure. But he did not.”
He added: “If I’m Ronald Koeman, I think I want my skipper to step up and take the heat and take the pressure on my shoulders and take a penalty kick because centre-halves can take penalties.”
Some football fans have been even more brutal on social media. One fan said: “Embarrassing that captain Van Dijk isn’t stepping up for a penalty. So, so cowardly. Just watched his nation get knocked out.”
A second commented: “Van Dijk, a mentality monster and captain, should’ve stepped up in the penalty shootout,” while a third wrote: “The captain. The leader. Van Dijk watched inexperienced players step up while he hid from taking a penalty for his country. That’s a stain on his legacy that isn’t going away.”
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Virgil van Djk Speaks Out After Netherlands’ Exit
Van Dijk defended his side’s defensive game plan after the match. He told NOS, per vi.nl: “[It’s] Very difficult to analyze it now.
“An intense match. I think we were well organised defensively. They basically couldn’t find the open man between the lines. So the game plan worked, of course. I think we scored a good goal. Ultimately, in injury time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties; unfortunately, we get knocked out.
“If you look at almost all the big teams at the World Cup: they also just drop back and they also wait for the right moment to apply pressure. We trained hard on this for two days; at times it went well. Of course, there are always things that can be improved, but anyway: that doesn’t help us right now.”
Manchester United are pushing to sign multiple midfielders in the summer transfer window, and one has now travelled to Manchester in order to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
The Red Devils are in the market for midfielders, and they have reached a full agreement to sign Atalanta star Ederson in the summer transfer window.
It appears that the Brazilian international isn’t the only midfielder who is going to be arriving through the door at Old Trafford before the window closes in September.
The Manchester club are heavily focusing on reinforcements in the middle of the park after Casemiro left the club earlier this summer.
An injury to Manuel Ugarte isn’t going to impact their plans, according to David Ornstein, with Mateus Fernandes their immediate priority.
Club in Pole Position to Sign Mateus Fernandes After Man Utd and Tottenham Talks
Manchester United and Spurs are trying to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer
Midfielder Heads to Man Utd for Medical
According to a report from The Athletic, young midfielder Cristian Orozco has travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move from Fortaleza CF.
The 17-year-old will officially become a United player when he turns 18 next month, with a deal agreed back in September.
The youngster turns 18 in July, and he’s represented Colombia at under-17 level, playing his domestic football in the Colombian top flight.
Orozco is unlikely to come in and become a first-team signing for United at the moment, considering his age. There’s no doubt they’re likely to sign another midfielder this summer.
It looks set to be a busy few weeks for United as they look to get multiple deals over the line.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Man Utd Leading Fernandes Race
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Fernandes despite strong interest from Tottenham.
Both clubs are in the race to secure the signature of Fernandes, and the Portuguese midfielder is seemingly keen on a move to either club.
Alongside strengthening the first team, United are also looking to improve their academy as they aim to head back in the right direction after a difficult few years.
There was a vast improvement in the second half of last season, but there’s no doubt they still need to go to the next level.
Fernandes would certainly help improve their starting XI, giving them fresh options ahead of a season in the Champions League.
Manchester United are pushing to sign multiple midfielders in the summer transfer window, and one has now travelled to Manchester in order to undergo a medical ahead of a move.
The Red Devils are in the market for midfielders, and they have reached a full agreement to sign Atalanta star Ederson in the summer transfer window.
It appears that the Brazilian international isn’t the only midfielder who is going to be arriving through the door at Old Trafford before the window closes in September.
The Manchester club are heavily focusing on reinforcements in the middle of the park after Casemiro left the club earlier this summer.
An injury to Manuel Ugarte isn’t going to impact their plans, according to David Ornstein, with Mateus Fernandes their immediate priority.
Club in Pole Position to Sign Mateus Fernandes After Man Utd and Tottenham Talks
Manchester United and Spurs are trying to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer
Midfielder Heads to Man Utd for Medical
According to a report from The Athletic, young midfielder Cristian Orozco has travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical at Manchester United ahead of his move from Fortaleza CF.
The 17-year-old will officially become a United player when he turns 18 next month, with a deal agreed back in September.
The youngster turns 18 in July, and he’s represented Colombia at under-17 level, playing his domestic football in the Colombian top flight.
Orozco is unlikely to come in and become a first-team signing for United at the moment, considering his age. There’s no doubt they’re likely to sign another midfielder this summer.
It looks set to be a busy few weeks for United as they look to get multiple deals over the line.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Man Utd Leading Fernandes Race
Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Fernandes despite strong interest from Tottenham.
Both clubs are in the race to secure the signature of Fernandes, and the Portuguese midfielder is seemingly keen on a move to either club.
Alongside strengthening the first team, United are also looking to improve their academy as they aim to head back in the right direction after a difficult few years.
There was a vast improvement in the second half of last season, but there’s no doubt they still need to go to the next level.
Fernandes would certainly help improve their starting XI, giving them fresh options ahead of a season in the Champions League.
Liverpool have been dealt a double blow in their pursuit of a new winger in the summer transfer window, but they do have alternative targets.
It’s clear to see that Liverpool’s major priority in the summer is to bring in a new winger or two.
The Reds already secured the signature of Victor Munoz, but it appears that they are pushing to sign another over the coming weeks and months.
Liverpool have been forced to replace Mohamed Salah after it was confirmed that he would be leaving the club this summer on a free transfer.
After a disappointing 25/26 season, the Merseyside club are in the market for multiple reinforcements.
Sky Sports: Liverpool Hold Talks to Sign ‘Elite’ Winger After Diomande Rejection
Liverpool have discussed a move for one of their transfer targets this summer, as they move on from Yan Diomande’s rejection.
Liverpool Eye Barcola and Diomande Alternatives
It was recently confirmed that, despite interest from Liverpool, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is now prioritising a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool also suffered another blow in their pursuit of a new winger after David Ornstein confirmed that PSG have no interest in allowing Bradley Barcola to leave the club, even if they sign Diomande.
As a result, Liverpool have been forced to explore alternative options, with reports suggesting that Koln forward Said El Mala is a target.
Diomande appeared to be the initial target for Liverpool, with the Reds even submitting a €100 million bid to secure his signature.
El Mala is another young, talented winger who could be of interest to Liverpool, and it could be a smart signing for the Reds.
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England World Cup Quiz
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El Mala Could Explode Under Iraola
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has certainly shown that he is capable of getting the best out of wingers during his time with Bournemouth.
Antoine Semenyo flourished under him with the Cherries before earning a big-money move to Manchester City.
Iraola also nurtured Rayan in the second half of last season, and he’s quickly become one of the most sought-after wingers in world football.
The new Liverpool manager is known for giving young talents a chance to impress, so he won’t be fazed by the fact that El Mala, described as being ‘one in a million’, is only 19 years old.
Cristian Orozco Set to Undergo Man Utd Medical
Cristian Orozco Set to Undergo Man Utd Medical
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