Saibari's 70-second strike puts Morocco on brink of round of 32

Saibari scores fastest World Cup goal in 70 seconds

Ismael Saibari needed 70 seconds. Morocco 1–0 Scotland, and your team are on four points in Group C with one match left (1) (2) (3) (5) (6).

Saibari struck before Scotland had touched the ball twice. It is the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup so far, and the record books are already being checked, BBC Sport noted Morocco completed 601 passes, the most by an African team since records began in 1966 (1).

Scotland never recovered. Kenny McLean admitted your team controlled the tempo (2). John McGinn kept it honest afterwards: "We have come a long way as a country and as a group. They are filled with elite players, but we've got some elite players in there as well, so we need to start showing more of our personality" (6).

Afellay unloads on Brahim Díaz

Ibrahim Afellay did not hold back. The former PSV and Barcelona midfielder called out Brahim Díaz on Dutch television for refusing to pass to Saibari during a clear chance.

"I really hope Saibari screams him down after the match, completely tears him apart," Afellay said (4). The moment came with Morocco already 1–0 up and Scotland chasing the game. Díaz went alone when Saibari was wide open.

The chemistry between the two attackers matters. Saibari is the hottest player in the squad right now, and Díaz needs to find him.

Scotland penalty claim dismissed

Scotland believe they were robbed. Former Premier League referees chief Keith Hackett said Scott McTominay was brought down by Neil El Aynaoui inside the box and the referee got it wrong: "McTominay, in possession of the ball inside his opponent's penalty area, was brought down to the ground by a careless challenge. This should have resulted in the award of a penalty kick" (3).

No VAR intervention. Morocco held the clean sheet.

Brazil beat Haiti, group finale looming

Brazil beat Haiti 3–0, so the Group C table is taking shape (7) (8). Morocco sit on four points alongside Brazil. Your final group match will decide who tops the group and who faces a trickier path in the round of 32.

Ronaldinho was in the stadium in a ceremonial role, but the Brazilian press were not impressed with the performance against Haiti (7) (8).

Saibari is the name on everyone's lips

The PSV midfielder, already headed to Bayern Munich, is becoming the story of Morocco's tournament. Two matches, two massive performances, the equaliser against Brazil and now the fastest goal of the World Cup (1) (4).

German, Belgian, and Moroccan outlets all led with his name on Friday night (1).

Fan-reaktioner

The passing stat is everywhere. 601 completed passes, no African team has ever done that at a World Cup, and Reddit is treating it as proof of how far the team has come under Regragui (source). Steve Clarke's post-match interview, where he muttered "I don't even know why we do these interviews," is getting shared for all the wrong reasons (source). Another thread noted that every World Cup match on Friday ended in a shutout, and Morocco's was the tightest of the four.