Ismael Saibari’s second-minute strike saw Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Foxborough to go second in Group C at 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saribari smashed in his winner from Brahim Diaz’s direct forward cross after 71 seconds which left Morocco top of the group on four points, whilst Scotland sat second and still firmly on course for the knockout stages – even if via the route of one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Brazil subsequently demoted Morocco and Scotland down to second and third respectively as they leapt to the top of Group C with a 3-0 win over Haiti, through Matheus Cunha’s first-half brace and Vinicius Junior’s first-half injury-time effort.
Aware that victory would all but secure a knockout spot with a game to spare, Scotland’s task got off to a bad start as Saibari smashed Diaz’s direct cross into the top-left corner after 71 seconds to put Morocco into an early lead.
Morocco proceeded to enjoy the better opportunities as the first half soon became end t0 end, during which Azzedine Ounahi’s low 10th-minute cross avoided two unmarked players inside the box.
Diaz almost created a second assist in the 30th minute as he teed up Neil El Aynaoui with a cutback pass, yet the midfielder blazed his shot over the bar from just inside the box.
Former Leicester midfielder, Bilal El Khannouss curled a 36th-minute shot over the bar as Morocco continued to waste chances against a shaky Scottish defence.
Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army also were frustrated up front throughout the first half, as their best chance came in the first minute of injury time as John McGinn lashed Andrew Robertson’s cross wide on the volley in the first minute of injury time.
Scotland continued their momentum into the second half but referee – Ilgiz Tantashev refused to award a penalty after McGinn had been fouled from behind by El Aynaoui just inside the box in the 49th minute.
Saibari a minute later struck the crossbar for Morocco before a pair of corners eventually was nodded on goal by El Khannouss, yet Angus Gunn was alert to block his attempt.
Christie then curled over the top-left corner in the 64th minute as Scotland continued to lack a clinically accurate final touch.
Tantashev once again proved to be the centre of controversy after he dismissed appeals for a penalty following a 82nd-minute foul on Scott McTominay, before the latter struck the side-netting and substitute – Lyndon Dykes nodded wide from the subsequent corner.
Morocco subsequently clung on for their first win of the tournament despite a late strike over the bar from Chemsdine Talbi, as the fourth-placed team of the 2022 edition moved top of Group C, whilst Scotland dropped to second with their knockout hopes still firmly alive.
What’s Next?
Scotland conclude their Group C campaign against Brazil on Wednesday 24 June at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, at 6pm EDT (11pm BST).
Morocco meanwhile will too be in action at that time as they meet Haiti at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, in their last group match.
Teams
Scotland: Angus Gunn, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Kieran Tierney (Gannon-Doak 60′), Nathan Patterson (Ralston 89′), Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Andrew Robertson, John McGinn (Stewart 89′), Ryan Christie (McLean 71′), Che Adams (Dykes 71′)
Substitutes: Findlay Curtis, Lyndon Dykes, Tyler Fletcher, Ben Gannon-Doak, Craig Gordon, Aaron Hickey, George Hirst, Dominic Hyam, Liam Kelly, Scott McKenna, Kenny McLean, Anthony Ralston, Lawrence Shankland, John Souttar, Ross Stewart
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Noussair Mazraoui, Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Brahim Diaz (Amaimouni 84′), Azzedine Ounahi (El Mourabet 90′), Bilal El Khannouss (Talbi 84′), Ismael Saibari (Rahimi 84′)
Substitutes: Ayoube Amaimouni, Sofyan Amrabat, Youssef Belammari, Ayoub El Kaabi, Samir El Mourabet, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Redouane Halhal, Munir Mohamedi, Soufiane Rahimi, Marwane Saadane, Anass Salah-Eddine, Amine Sbai, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Chemsdine Talbi, Gessime Yassine
Referee – Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
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