Zlatan Ibrahimovic Blasts Ronald Koeman After Netherlands’ World Cup Exit

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has criticised Ronald Koeman after the Netherlands crashed out of the FIFA World Cup, accusing the Dutch manager of abandoning the team’s traditional style in the defeat to Morocco.

Naija News reports that the Netherlands were knocked out in the round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday after losing on penalties. Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead in the second half, but Issa Diop scored deep into stoppage time to force extra time. Neither side found a winner before the shoot-out.

Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville all failed to convert from the spot for the Netherlands. Morocco recovered from Neil El Aynaoui’s early miss, while Achraf Hakimi also struck the post before Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty to send the North Africans into the last 16.

Ibrahimovic, who played under Koeman during his early years at Ajax, was scathing in his verdict on the Dutch display.

Speaking on FOX Sports’ post-match coverage via talkSPORT, 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 statistics reflected Morocco’s control for long spells. The Netherlands finished with less than 30 per cent possession and managed only two shots on target across 120 minutes, bringing an early end to their World Cup campaign.