Saibari the difference as Morocco edge past Scotland

RIYADH: Scotland spent almost 89 minutes searching for a response, but the damage had already been done. Ismael Saibari’s goal in the second minute of the game proved enough to give Morocco a 1-0 victory in Foxborough and send the Atlas Lions to the top of Group C.

Saibari’s goal is now officially the fastest scored at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Seventy-one seconds was all it took for the forward to make his mark against the Tartan Army.

Just ahead of the halfway line, Brahim Diaz scanned the front line for Saibari. A perfectly threaded lob followed, with Saibari timing his run to receive the pass behind the Scottish defense. He took a touch, with pressure yet to arrive from the stunned back line, before unleashing a scorcher beyond Angus Gunn. The ball flew into the net and lodged in the top corner at a perfect angle.

Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi implemented a similar playbook to Morocco’s 1-1 draw against Brazil. Scotland, however, were nowhere near as threatening, failing to muster a shot until first-half stoppage time.

Morocco were happy to allow Scotland possession without pressing high, setting up in a mid-block near the halfway line before closing down ball-carriers central areas.

From there, the Atlas Lions used their speed and skill on the counterattack, coming close to a second on more than one occasion.

In the ninth minute, Azzedine Ounahi delivered a dangerous pass into the box only for Saibari and Diaz to read his intentions too late. In the 30th, Saibari and Bilal El-Khannouss linked up to feed Ounahi just outside of the area, but his shot flew over the bar.

But it was in the 35th minute where Morocco will feel they should have killed off the game. After possession was won in Scotland’s half, Saibari