◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Ismaël Saibari bags lighting fast goal as Morocco narrowly defeated Scotland by 1-0..

Morocco narrowly defeated Scotland by 1-0 in their second Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at Gillette Stadium in Boston on Friday.

In the first half, Saibari opened the scoring by volleying the ball into the net. McTominay was fouled maliciously, but the referee's decision to ignore it sparked controversy. In the second half, McGinn was fouled in the box, but the referees refused to award a penalty, again causing controversy. Saibari's shot was deflected and hit the crossbar. At a crucial moment, McTominay was fouled maliciously in the box, but the referee again refused to award a penalty, sparking a third major controversy. Dykes' pressing nearly resulted in an own goal. Ultimately, Morocco secured a narrow 1-0 victory amidst the controversy. After this round of matches, the Atlas Lions temporarily rise to first place in the group with 4 points; the Tartan Army temporarily sits in second place with 3 points.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, Brahim Diaz delivered an overhead pass from the right wing. After beating the offside trap, Ismaël Saibari quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying the ball with his right foot. His shot flew straight into the top left corner of the net, giving Morocco a lightning-fast 1-0 lead! This was the Bayern Munich potential transfer target's 21st goal of the season in all competitions for club and county!

8 minutes later, Azzedine Ounahi passes horizontally from the left side of the box, his pass narrowly went slightly wide of the bottom right corner of the post and just shy of Saibari's chance to tap it in! Morocco missed a golden opportunity to quickly extend their lead!

In the 18th minute, Diaz delivered an overhead kick from the right wing. After beating the offside trap, Achraf Hakimi quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot was blocked by the outrushing Angus Gunn's outstretched leg.

In the 30th minute, Diaz passed the ball back from the right side of the box. Neil El Aynaoui quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the right side of the box, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

6 minutes later, Scott McTominay was maliciously fouled by El Aynaoui while attacking down the right flank, but the referee ignored it, even allowing the Moroccan player to continue dribbling and shooting, sparking controversy!

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Andy Robertson crossed into the box from the byline at the left wing. John McGinn quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass volleyed with his right foot from a difficult angle at a very close distance in the box, but his shot went wide of the right side of the post.

2 minutes later, Che Adams passed the ball back from the byline at the left side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Kieran Tierney volleyed with this left foot from the left side of the box, but his shot was blocked by Ounahi.

At halftime, Morocco temporarily enter the break leading Scotland by 1-0.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the matched continued. In the 49th minute, McGinn dribbled into the right side of the box and was maliciously brought down by El Aynaoui. However, the referee refused to award Scotland a penalty, this controversial decision drew boos from the Scottish fans.

1 minute later, Bilal El Khannouss passed the ball back from the byline at the left side of the box. Saibari quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed the ball with his left foot from the left side of the box. His shot was deflected by Jack Hendry and hit the top right corner of the crossbar before bouncing off! Morocco missed another golden opportunity to extend their lead!

In the 52nd minute, Morocco won a corner opportunity. Hakimi took the corner by crossing it into the box. Bilal El Khannouss rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Gunn.

11 minutes later, McTominay passes horizontally from the left wing. Ryan Christie quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 82nd minute, McTominay dribbled into the center of the penalty area and was maliciously brought down from behind by El Aynaoui, but the referee once again refused to award Scotland a penalty! This was the third major controversy of the match, and in all three controversial incidents, El Aynaoui was the one who committed malicious fouls but escaped punishment!

3 minutes later, Kenny McLean made a straight pass from the right wing. McTominay quickly followed up, dribbled into the right side of the box and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot, but his shot was deflected by Chadi Riad and hit the right side netting.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Samir El Mourabet passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Chemsdine Talbi volleyed with his left foot from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Gunn.

3 minutes later, Talbi passes horizontally from the left wing. Ayoube Amaimouni quickly followed up, got the ball, cuts inside and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from the right side of the box, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

In the 6th minute of injury time, Anthony Ralston delivered a long pass from his own back half. Ross Stewart headed the ball across. Lyndon Dykes's quick pursuit at just outside of the penalty area was blocked by Riad, which nearly resulted in an own goal. Fortunately, the ball ultimately went wide of the left side of the post. Morocco escaped a close call!

When the final whistle is blown, Morocco secured a narrow 1-0 win over Scotland.

Image source: Internet / Getty Images