Morocco edge Scotland after Saibari’s 71-second goal
Ismael Saibari struck early in Boston to give Morocco four points in Group C and leave Scotland needing a result against Brazil.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Morocco moved close to the World Cup knockout stage on Friday with a 1-0 win over Scotland in Group C, according to AFP. Ismael Saibari scored after 71 seconds at Boston Stadium, the quickest goal of the 2026 tournament so far, and Scotland could not recover.
AFP reported that the result put Morocco on four points from two matches after their opening 1-1 draw with Brazil. Scotland, who beat Haiti 1-0 in their first game, missed the chance to secure advancement and now face Brazil in Miami on Wednesday.
The match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, drew 64,146 spectators, according to AFP. Morocco will play Haiti in Atlanta on Wednesday, with a place in the last 32 in reach as they try to build on their 2022 run to the semifinals in Qatar.
Early goal settles physical match
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi kept the same starting team that drew with Brazil, AFP reported. Scotland manager Steve Clarke made three changes, bringing in Kieran Tierney and setting up with a back five while leaving striker Lawrence Shankland out.
The defensive shift did not prevent Morocco from scoring almost immediately. AFP reported that Brahim Diaz supplied the pass, Grant Hanley kept Saibari onside, and the PSV Eindhoven midfielder controlled the ball before driving a high finish past Angus Gunn.
Saibari, 25, also scored against Brazil in Morocco’s opener. AFP reported that he was born in Spain, raised in Belgium and has been linked with a reported $63m move from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich.
Morocco had chances to extend the lead. Bilal El Khannouss missed an opportunity in the 36th minute, and Saibari later struck the bar early in the second half after a deflection off Jack Hendry, AFP reported.
Gunn also kept Scotland in the game by saving an El Khannouss header from a corner taken by Achraf Hakimi, according to AFP. Morocco, ranked fifth in the world, had more threat in attack than 40th-ranked Scotland, which struggled to trouble goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Scotland’s clearest first-half moment came in stoppage time, when captain Andy Robertson crossed from the left and John McGinn could not turn it into a chance, AFP reported. Ryan Christie later shot over after Scott McTominay set him up, and McTominay hit the side-netting late on.
Hakimi booed after trial decision
AFP reported that Hakimi was booed by Scotland fans when his name was announced and again when he touched the ball. The reaction came hours after confirmation that the Morocco captain must stand trial in France on a rape charge.
Hakimi, a Paris Saint-Germain defender, said in a statement cited by AFP that he welcomed the chance to give his account in court. AFP reported that he had appealed his referral to a criminal court, while French media said the Versailles appeals court rejected that appeal.
The win also continued Morocco’s favorable World Cup record against Scotland. AFP noted that Morocco beat Scotland 3-0 when the teams met at the 1998 tournament.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.