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Scotland were left stunned by what was the fastest goal of World Cup 2026 to that point as Morocco sprinted into the lead 70 seconds after kick-off.
Ismael Saibari leathered past Angus Gunn to open the scoring during in lightning-quick fashion, with Grant Hanley mistiming his step up to allow the forward to run clean through and fire home.
It was the earliest a player has scored in a World Cup match since Alphonso Davies struck in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he netted Canada’s first ever World Cup goal against Croatia inside 68 seconds.
Saibari claimed the accolade of quickest goal of this summer’s tournament but held it for only a couple of hours, with Paraguay’s Matias Galarza drilling home in 64 seconds to break his record. However, both are actually quite a way off the all-time mark, not even breaking into the top 10.
Morocco’s Ismael Saibari celebrates (Reuters)
Hakan Sukur boasts the fastest World Cup goal of all time at a blistering 11 seconds, with the Turkey hero-turned-political exile stunning hosts South Korea after stealing possession from kick-off.
England’s Bryan Robson scored in 28 seconds in 1982 while Clint Dempsey netted inside 30 seconds for the USA at Brazil 2014, two goals which are only enough for fourth and fifth in the rankings.
North Korea also have a name on the list, with Pak Seung-zin scoring in 50 seconds in 1966 to put them ahead in their quarter-final against Portugal. The Selecao would come back to win 5-3 in that game, with the honour of knocking them out going to eventual champions England in the next round.
More recently, Mathias Jorgensen scored for Denmark from an early long throw in 55 seconds against Croatia in their 2018 round of 16 match, a match the Danes also went on to lose. That is the 10th fastest time that a goal has been in World Cup history, meaning you have to at least break the minute mark to get in the rankings.
But in Saibari’s hopes of entering some sort of record book, he may be glad to hear that his strike was the earliest goal Scotland have ever conceded at a World Cup.
Saibari also scored a wonderful goal in Morocco’s opening draw with Brazil, again being set in behind before dinking Alisson Becker with a chip.
He is fast emerging as one of this summer’s breakout stars after an influential Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which saw Morocco lose a home final to Senegal before being awarded the title after the fact, with the Teranga Lions stripped of their crown after staging a controversial walk-off over a late VAR penalty decision.
The 25-year-old, who has spent his entire senior career so far at Eredivisie champions PSV, is heavily reported to be on the verge of a €55m move to Bayern Munich.
