After scoring in the opening 1-1 draw against Brazil, the PSV Eindhoven star stepped up once again to score the team's fastest-ever World Cup goal, and get their campaign up and running.
Morocco took an early lead over Scotland and never looked back. The Atlas Lions' solitary goal came courtesy of Saibari, who ran past the Scottish back line, brought down a well-weighted ball from Brahim Diaz and slammed the ball past Angus Gunn and into the roof of the net.
Saibari's finish was a record breaker: the fastest so far at the 2026 edition and Morocco's fastest ever at the global showpiece. The 1-0 victory left Morocco with four points and sitting atop Group C ahead of Brazil's game in Philadelphia.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup is taking place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament features 48 national teams and is played at 16 modern stadiums.
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Morocco want to win every match
“We all have the same objective. We play as one group. We are like a family,” Saibari explained. “We want to win every match and we will continue fighting in every game at the World Cup.”
Saibari, who was named man of the match, added: “I am happy with the two goals I have scored at the World Cup, but what makes me happier is having four points and being top of the group.
“There is still one more match to play and we hope to win that one as well.”
Saibari became just the second African player to score in each of his first two appearances at the World Cup after Egypt's Mohamed Salah (against Russia and Saudi Arabia in 2018).
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou praised his teammates for a very good game against a strong opponent, with players boasting a lot of experience.
“I think we played a very good game against a strong opponent, with players with a lot of experience,” said Bounou after the game.
“I think we had a lot of patience and we were able to create chances, although they were in a very, very low block. In the last ten minutes they pushed a little more and, when we had to step back, we did it well.”
Bounou added: “World Cup games are not easy. Morocco is developing game after game. We should just protect players from injuries to stay balanced in defence and attack.”
Morocco's quality was top
Scotland coach Steve Clarke admitted Morocco’s quality was on another level adding if they were playing against a weak opponent, the result should have been even bigger than 1-0.
“I thought we picked ourselves up in the first half. Maybe we took 10 minutes to get into the game again (after Morocco's goal) because obviously, when you get a setback, it is really difficult to respond,” said Clarke.
“Weaker teams would have crumbled against that quality of opposition but we dug in, we got ourselves back in the game, and started moving the ball about a little bit better.
“I'm proud of the players, but obviously we’re all devastated and disappointed that we didn’t get the result we wanted.”
Morocco achieved their greatest milestone in the World Cup in 2022. Unbeaten in a group that included Croatia and Belgium, they defeated Spain in the Round of 16 and Portugal in the quarter-finals to make global history.
The Atlas Lions eventually finished fourth after facing France in the semi-finals and Croatia in the third-place play-off.
Morocco will wind up their group fixtures against Haiti at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 24th hoping to keep their good run going and a place in the knockout stage.
For Scotland, all the focus shifts to Brazil clash, with a spot in the round of 32 at stake.
