71 Seconds: Ismael Saibari Just Tied a Mohamed Salah World Cup Record, And It Blew Group C Wide Open

Hold up, soccer fans, did you just see what went down in the World Cup? Seriously, if you blinked, you missed it. Ismael Saibari, in only his second World Cup appearance, absolutely exploded onto the scene, putting Morocco ahead against Scotland in a mind-blowing 71 seconds! And get this, that lightning-fast strike wasn't just huge for the game, it matched a World Cup record held by none other than Mohamed Salah himself. Talk about setting a tone for an entire Group C contest!

A Goal For The Ages (Literally)

This isn't some minor feat, folks. We're talking about rare air here. OptaJoe, you know, the stats gurus, confirmed it: Saibari just became only the second African player ever to score in each of his first two World Cup appearances. The only other name on that exclusive list? Mohamed Salah, who did it against Russia and Saudi Arabia back in the 2018 World Cup. Saibari's now right there beside him after finding the net against Brazil and then yesterday against Scotland. The lack of any other names on that list makes this achievement hit even harder. This isn't just a record, it's a statement, putting him into incredibly rare company on the biggest stage.

How That Stunner Rocked The Game

That goal in Foxborough wasn't just quick, it was pure class. Brahim Diaz dropped a dime, lifting a p

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erfect pass over the Scottish back line, and Saibari, with perfect timing, fired it past Angus Gunn. Clean. Ruthless. And yep, it was the fastest goal of the entire 2026 World Cup at that point. But beyond the headlines, that early strike absolutely changed the game. Scotland barely had a chance to get settled before they were playing from behind, giving Morocco full control. Saibari didn't just score and disappear either; he played 84 minutes, pressing high in an advanced role, linking up play, and helping protect that precious lead until he was subbed late. Morocco truly battled, winning 1-0 thanks to that early magic.

Group C Is Officially Chaos

The win wasn't just for the record books, it was massive for Morocco's World Cup hopes. They're now sitting pretty on four points from two games, building on their opening draw with Brazil. Scotland, after their win over Haiti, is right there at three points. That means Group C is heading into the final round of fixtures with some serious tension! Morocco's got Haiti up next, with a spot in the knockouts tantalizingly close. Scotland, meanwhile, has to go up against Brazil and absolutely *must* grab something from that game to stay in control of their destiny. Saibari's record is definitely drawing all the attention, but the real impact of his early, game-changing goal could be what truly shapes this group. Get ready, because these final matches are going to be wild!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.