100% duels won, 12 clearances: United star drops defensive masterclass to guide nation into last 16 of World Cup

Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui was in action as Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup. Match The North Africans defeated the Netherlands on penalties. The Moroccans equalised in the 91st minute when Issa Diop pulled his side level. Mazraoui played the entire match and demonstrated his tactical flexibility by operating at left back throughout. The defender made a stunning intervention in the 64th minute, showing strength and anticipation to beat United target Crysencio Summerville to the ball when he would have been through on goal. It was the sort of clever defending that Manchester United fans have become accustomed to over the years from their Moroccan star. Individual performance The defender made an incredible 19 defensive contributions, winning four of his five tackles. He also made an impressive 12 clearances as he helped keep the Dutch at bay for most of the game. Mazraoui also won all five of his ground duels in a highly impressive defensive effort. The defender was also strong in the air, winning a total of four aerial battles against the Dutch attack. As usual, the 28-year-old highlighted his quality on the ball by completing 88% of his passes. He also carried the ball forward twice progressively but could not complete a dribble attempt in the game. Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada in the last 16 on Saturday, 4th July. The match was also significant for Mazraoui as it was against the country of his birth. Mazraoui was born in the Dutch town of Leiderdorp but represents Morocco. Noussair Mazraoui stats vs The Netherlands StatisticValue Goals0 Assists0 Expected Assists (xA)0.02 Defensive Contributions19 Tackles (Won)5 (4) Interceptions1 Clearances12 Blocked Shots1 Recoveries3 Ground Duels (Won)5 (5) Aerial Duels (Won)7 (4) Dribbled Past0 Key Passes0 Crosses (Accurate)0 (0) Accurate Passes68/77 (88%) Passes in Opposition Half (Acc.)28/34 (82%) Passes in Own Half (Acc.)40/43 (93%) Touches101 Dribbles (Successful)0 (0) Possession Lost9 Total Carrying Distance102.5 m Carries12 Progressive Carries2 Total Progression72.1 m Progressive Carrying Distance43.3 m Longest Progressive Carry22.1 m Total Shots0 Shots on Target0 Shots Blocked0 Featured image by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Latest Top Stories… Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.