7M - Scotland 0-1 Morocco: Ismael Saibaris strike boosts Atlas Lions as Steve Clarkes side face Group C setback

Morocco boosted their chances of advancing to the World Cup knockout rounds as a very early goal from Ismael Saibari earned them a 1-0 win against Scotland in Boston.

Steve Clarkes team knew a victory would secure their spot in the next stage of a major tournament for the first time in history. However, they suffered an immediate blow just 70 seconds into the match. Brahim Diaz delivered a pass down the right side to find Saibari. After breaking the offside trap, the midfielder struck a powerful shot into the top-left corner. With this goal, Saibari became the first Moroccan player to find the back of the net in consecutive World Cup appearances.

It was also the quickest goal scored at this tournament so far, and the fastest at a World Cup since Alphonso Davies struck for Canada against Croatia after 68 seconds in 2022. Additionally, Saibari joined Mohamed Salah as only the second African player to score in his opening two appearances at the World Cup. He was set up beautifully by Brahim Diaz, marking only the second time on record that an African player has assisted the same teammate twice in the history of the tournament. Diaz finished the game with a match-high three chances created and three successful dribbles.

Morocco kept up the pressure in the opening half. Azzedine Ounahi delivered a dangerous cross that just missed both Saibari and Neil El Aynaoui, before Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn rushed off his line to deny Achraf Hakimi. Bilal El Khannouss missed a major chance by firing over the bar after Scott McTominay lost possession. Scotland finished the first half with some momentum, though John McGinn sent Andy Robertsons cross into the stands.

The Atlas Lions started sharply after the break as well. Saibaris deflected shot hit the top of the crossbar, and Gunn made a fine save to stop an El Khannouss header from a corner. Hakimi and Ryan Christie both missed the target with later opportunities.

Scotland felt they should have had a penalty in the 82nd minute when McTominay went down under a challenge from El Aynaoui, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev dismissed the appeals. Clarkes side pushed for a late equalizer but could not test Yassine Bounou. Lyndon Dykes headed over from a corner and McTominays deflected shot hit the side-netting.

Scotland failed to register a single shot on target during the match. It is only the second time they have failed to test the goalkeeper in a World Cup fixture, mirroring a 1-0 loss to Denmark back in 1986. This was despite Clarke making three changes to introduce an experienced lineup with a historic combined total of 609 international caps. Grant Hanleys attempt to play offside ultimately contributed to the decisive moment, leading to the earliest World Cup goal Scotland has ever conceded.

Morocco finished the match ahead in expected goals (xG), recording 0.97 from 12 attempts compared to Scotlands 0.54 from six shots.