Why Justin Kluivert is far from finished with the Netherlands

Kluivert reflects on his missed penalty at the World Cup and looks ahead to new opportunities with the Netherlands after a difficult period.

Justin Kluivert has spoken about the pain of missing a crucial penalty for the Netherlands during the World Cup shootout against Morocco in Monterrey, which haunted him for months. The 27-year-old winger came on as a substitute and had not touched the ball before being called upon to take the spot-kick, which he sent over the bar.

In an interview at the Dutch national team training camp, Kluivert reflected on the moment without making excuses. "I don't have an explanation," he said. "Maybe it played a role that as a substitute I literally hadn't touched the ball yet. The first was that ball on the spot.

I came in because I can do this. That's how it was in my head during the tournament: if I have to take a penalty, they can count on me. I would do it the same way again. I think I did everything right. Except that ball went on the post. Really shit. But that's football too. You have to live with it."

With new chances emerging for the winger following the disappointing World Cup campaign, Kluivert is looking to move forward and contribute his specific qualities to the national team.