Moroccan defender Issa Diop was the hero of the night against the Netherlands, crowned Man of the Match after firing Morocco into the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup with a killer goal that sent the game to extra time - and the Atlas Lions ultimately through on penalties. But it all could've been a what-if moment. Diop, 29, came up through France's youth ranks before making the switch to Morocco weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Pulling on Morocco's colors is a brand-new chapter for Diop. He'd represented France at youth level and was also eligible for Senegal, but ultimately made his decision to play for the Atlas Lions. Diop made his debut in a 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador this past March. He was the man of the moment against the Netherlands during Morocco's first knockout game, rising to head home a stoppage-time equalizer that dragged Morocco back into the contest and forced extra time, just as the Dutch looked minutes away from sealing their spot in the next round. Fortune then favoured Morocco in the shootout, as they punched their ticket through to the next stage in a match where Diop had been instrumental from start to finish, at both ends of the pitch. The centre-back currently plies his trade in the Premier League with Fulham, where he's been since 2022. Before that, he was a regular fixture for West Ham United in the English topflight, having kicked off his professional career at Toulouse, where he was born.