Ismael Saibari’s penalty, his mother’s tears: Moment Morocco sent Netherlands home from World Cup

Last Updated on 30 June 2026

Nobody saw it coming quite like this. Netherlands, fresh off a group stage that produced ten goals, arrived in Monterrey as the side many tipped to go deep.

Instead, they are flying home: beaten on penalties by a Morocco side that defied the rankings, defied the script, and delivered scenes that had nothing to do with football at all.

By the time the celebrations subsided, one video from their World Cup RO32 win had already gone viral. It was Ismael Saibari sobbing into his mother’s arms in the stands.

Morocco and Ismael Saibari’s moment and the mother who made it possible

The shootout was locked at 2-2 when Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced the save that changed everything, denying Crysencio Summerville’s effort. Ismael Saibari stepped up next and blasted his penalty in, sending the entire Moroccan camp into delirium.

He was mobbed by teammates, and then, eventually, sprinted straight into the crowd to find his mother. She could not hold back the tears as her son wrapped her in an embrace that said everything words could not.

It caps an outstanding individual tournament for Saibari. He has been Morocco’s standout performer throughout. And, it was his strong character that motivated Morocco after Cody Gakpo’s emotional moment to give Netherlands a lead after he went through a personal loss.

Saibari’s composure under the most extreme pressure imaginable, a World Cup knockout shootout, with elimination on the line, confirmed his status as Morocco’s most important player at this tournament.

A statement win, and now Canada stand between Morocco and the quarters

This was no fortunate upset. Morocco dominated long periods of the contest, with Netherlands forced into a defensive back-five reshuffle. Bounou’s saves throughout extra time and the shootout were the difference, but the underlying performance was every bit as impressive.

Morocco’s collective discipline have now carried them past one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides. They now face Canada in Houston on Saturday, with a quarter-final place on the line. Morocco arrive as clear favourites, carrying the momentum and the belief.

After all, they hold the best finish by an African or Arab nation in World Cup history, making it to the semis in 2022. Equalling that achievement is not impossible. But it will require a major upset as they could face France, should they make it past Canada.