Defender’s Audacious Rabona Strike Propels MAS Fès Past Wydad Casablanca
In a match defined by a single, irrational moment of genius, MAS Fès defender Driss El Jabali delivered one of the most remarkable goals in the history of the Botola Pro. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, El Jabali secured a 1-0 victory for his side against Wydad Casablanca with a “coup du foulard”—a rabona strike—launched from well outside the penalty area that flew straight into the top corner.
The goal, which has already sparked conversations regarding a potential Puskas Award nomination for the most beautiful goal of the season, arrived in the 80th minute of a tense encounter. El Jabali, a right-footed center-back and native of Fès, first controlled the ball to shift it into the center. Rather than opting for a standard strike with his left foot, he executed the daring rabona, sending the ball screaming toward the goal.
While the strike was visually stunning, reports indicate the ball was slightly deflected by a defender, a factor that helped deceive the Wydad goalkeeper and ensure the ball found the upper corner of the net. The stadium erupted as El Jabali, appearing as surprised as the crowd, entered a state of trance during a lengthy celebration, sprinting toward the stands to mark the decisive moment.
Stakes in the Botola Pro
The result has immediate implications for the Moroccan league standings. With this 1-0 win, MAS Fès has provisionally reclaimed the top spot in the Botola Pro. The victory keeps them a narrow one-point lead over their rivals.
For Wydad Casablanca, the loss marks a continuing struggle for stability. The club currently sits in fourth place in the standings and has not won the championship since 2022. The defeat further complicates the tenure of French manager Patrice Carteron, who joined the club in March. Carteron has yet to record a win in his first three matches, accumulating two losses and a draw.
The timing of the goal was particularly cruel for Wydad’s tactical adjustments. French forward Wissam Ben Yedder had been introduced as a substitute just one minute before El Jabali’s strike, leaving the attacker to witness the game-winning blow almost immediately after entering the pitch.
Technical Breakdown: The ‘Coup du Foulard’
In football terminology, the “coup du foulard” or rabona is a move where the kicking leg is wrapped behind the standing leg to strike the ball. It is almost exclusively reserved for crosses or low-risk flair plays due to the difficulty of maintaining power and accuracy. To execute this move from outside the 18-yard box—and as a center-back—is an anomaly in professional football.
El Jabali’s decision to eschew a traditional left-footed shot in favor of the rabona was described as “irrational” given the match situation, yet it transformed a standard attacking sequence into a “bijou” (jewel) of a goal.
Match Quick Facts
| Final Score | MAS Fès 1-0 Wydad Casablanca |
| Goal Scorer | Driss El Jabali (80′) |
| League | Botola Pro (Morocco) |
| Key Stat | Patrice Carteron: 0 wins in 3 matches |
As the Botola Pro continues, all eyes will be on whether MAS Fès can maintain their provisional lead at the top of the table. For Wydad Casablanca, the priority remains finding the first victory under Carteron to climb out of fourth place.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the league will be the upcoming fixtures as teams fight for the title. Share your thoughts on El Jabali’s strike in the comments below—is this a Puskas contender?
Sources: Le Parisien, L’Équipe.
