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Saibari's early stunner lifts Morocco closer to World Cup knockouts
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 20.06.26. | 02:59
The result leaves The Atlas Lions with four points, and a foot into the last 32
Ismael Saibari was once again the hero for Morocco as they registered their first victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating Scotland 1-0 at Boston Stadium on early Saturday morning.
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The PSV Eindhoven winger, who is subject to huge transfer interest from Bayern Munich, made history by scoring the earliest goal at this year’s tournament, hitting a scorcher after only 71 seconds, to leave The Atlas Lions minutes away from officially securing their place into the last 32.
Having deployed a back three to best curtail the North Africans, Scotland boss Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army that had rocked Foxborough were left stunned after their pre-game script was reduced to tatters, just a minute into the contest that reminded them of their lat meeting in Saint Ettiene in 1998.
The magic all came from a wonder of a left boot from Brahim Diaz, who lifted a delightful pass over a seemingly non-existent Scottish backline, to the path of a chasing Saibari to streak into the right byline, before lashing a right-footed effort into the top corner of the net.
Just days earlier, the 25-year-old had showed his skill and composure in lobbing over Alisson Becker in the Brazil goal, but here, he showed his other side, sending a rocket that also clocked as the earliest goal Scotland had conceded at a World Cup game.
And just like they had showcased in their 1-1 draw with the Selecao, Mohamed Ouahbi’s side were again superior in the opening minutes of the game, swarming the Scots when not in possession, and making inroads through their dazzling quick exchanges.
©AFPAfter 10 minutes, the Atlas Lions should have been two up, but fir a cross ball for a Bilal El Khannouss cross to miss two teammates inside the box.
Goalscorer Saibari was next to let a chance go begging as he placed his shot over in the 29th minute, just moments before El Khannouss had blasted a boobling ball to his path in a similar direction.
Up until John McGinn whiffed a cross from Andy Robertson in the first minute of first-half added time, Scotland had created nothing upfront, with official stats clocking their 12 passes in the final third being the fewest ever in a span of their 30 minutes in a World Cup game.
Perhaps the only condemnation in Morocco’s side was that they had not scored more, as Scotland, who ended the first half with their tails up, kicked off from where they left off with energy, and frequent trips to the opposition half.
But even with that, Morocco, thanks to their swift counter-attacking football, almost found the second when Saibari received a ball from the left, only for his effort to deflect over Jack Hendry, and off the crossbar and out.
A corner later, Scotland were thanking keeper Angus Gunn for his save from El Khannouss, before piling on immense pressure on the other end.
A couple of penalty shouts from McGinn and Scott McTominay came and passed, but Morocco failed to bulge, eeking out a priceless win that virtually has them in the knockout stages.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)
Group C
Saturday 20.06.
Scotland - Morocco 0-1 (0-1)
/Saibari 2/
03.30: (1.12) Brazil (10.0) Haiti (16.0)
***odds are subject to change***
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