Saibari strikes after 70 seconds as Morocco puncture Scotland’s World Cup party

Ismael Saibari broke the deadlock after 70 seconds, leaving Scotland reeling under the Massachusetts sun. Scotland may have accepted such an outcome before kick-off; avoiding a heavy defeat means they still have a fighting chance to become the first Scotland side to reach the knockout phase of a major tournament.

Onwards to Miami: beating Haiti by a goal or losing by the same will determine matters for the Tartan Army. Morocco took four points from six but will be frustrated: their individual and collective quality often outclassed Scotland, yet a single-goal win felt like a missed opportunity and they will need to be more ruthless against Haiti.

At the interval Scotland trailed by only one; there were echoes of their Euro 2024 opener, with Clarke’s side jittery, ragged and poor in possession until a late first-half flurry that produced a miscued half-chance for John McGinn. Saibari’s finish followed Braham Díaz’s lofted pass that deceived Grant Hanley, an offside appeal dismissed, and a first-time strike beyond Angus Gunn.

United States, Massachusetts

ismael saibari, morocco, scotland, world cup, miami, john mcginn, angus gunn, grant hanley, braham díaz, haiti