Yassine Bounou impresses Iker Casillas.

Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou received new praise from Spanish goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas, following the crucial role he played in leading the Moroccan national team to qualify at the expense of the Netherlands in the penalty shootout in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Casillas confirmed, in media statements about the standout goalkeepers who caught his attention during the tournament, that Bounou delivered one of the most impressive performances, especially in the penalty shootout, highlighting that the secret to his brilliance was not in random diving, but in reading the shooters' intentions and choosing the right angle.

The former Spanish goalkeeper said: “This World Cup has seen many surprises in terms of goalkeepers, and they have delivered outstanding performances. For me, I was impressed by Bounou in the penalty shootout against the Netherlands. It has been a long time since I saw a goalkeeper not dive towards the ball, but instead choose the side or successfully predict it. That was very interesting.”

Casillas's admiration was not limited to Bounou; he also praised the Paraguayan goalkeeper, considering that his brilliance came at the perfect time after the criticism he faced following the match against the United States, affirming that what he achieved in the Round of 16 is a practical response to that criticism.

It is worth noting that Bounou led the Moroccan national team to reach the Round of 16 of the World Cup, where they will face Canada next Saturday, starting at six o'clock in the evening Moroccan time.