Lewis Ferguson (front) of Scotland vies with Neil El Aynaoui (R) of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
BOSTON, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Morocco claimed a 1-0 victory over Scotland on Friday thanks to a lightning-fast goal from Ismael Saibari, the fastest strike at the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far.
In just the second minute, Saibari fired Brahim Diaz's pass from the right side into the top-left corner. The goal, timed at 71 seconds, set a new tournament mark for the quickest goal to date.
Morocco, who sits sixth in the FIFA World Ranking and 31 places above Scotland, almost replicated its opener in the 18th minute, but Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn prevented Achraf Hakimi from applying the finishing touch to another clever clipped pass from Diaz into the penalty area.
Scotland's defense came under pressure, and its first goal attempt came in first-half stoppage time, when John McGinn's shot flew over the bar.
Morocco showed its strength with dynamic attacking, quick defending, and creative passing, but Scotland has responded impressively, especially after half-time.
Goalkeeper Gunn beat away a header from Bilal El Khannouss in the 52nd minute and Scotland created some danger in the 63rd minute when Ryan Christie's powerful shot went wide. Scott McTominay went down in the area in the 82nd minute as he drove into the box, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev was unmoved. The Napoli midfielder then went close again in the 85th minute, but his shot hit the side netting.
Morocco pressed hard but failed to extend its lead. Ayoube Amaimouni created a chance in stoppage time after cutting inside and curling narrowly wide of the far post.
"We wanted three points and we got them," Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. "That was the main objective. I believe that we were actually very good in the whole match, we controlled it. When you don't score a second time, obviously you have to defend based on their very intense style, very long balls but I believe that we actually played very well and very happy with the performance."
Morocco will face Haiti in its last group match on June 24, while Scotland will meet Brazil on the same day.
"I think we can go pretty far but as I said, we will take it game by game. The next game is Haiti. Now we will see how we can go further. We have our objectives and our goals and we will work towards them," said Saibari.
The Atlas Lions, who finished fourth in the 2022 World Cup, top Group C with four points, while Scotland remains on three.
"It's frustrating. The start to the game wasn't exactly how we planned it. It would have been easy to chase the game. But we limited them to very little in the second half and started to play our football," said Scotland's winger Ryan Christie.
Scotland coach Steve Clarke still has confidence in his team. "We gave them a game," he said. "We're sure we can compete at this level."
"Our performance probably deserves a point," Scotland's Lewis Ferguson shared. ■
Yassine Bounou, goalkeeper of Morocco, reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Scotland pose for photos during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Lewis Ferguson (bottom) of Scotland falls down during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Grant Hanley (C) of Scotland vies with Achraf Hakimi (R) of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Lewis Ferguson (C) of Scotland vies with Neil El Aynaoui (R) of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Stephen Clarke, head coach of Scotland, reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Ayyoub Bouaddi (bottom) of Morocco falls down during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
A fan of Morocco reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Morocco celebrate a goal during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Fans of Morocco react during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
A fan of Morocco reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Members of team Morocco celebrate after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Fans of Morocco take photos before the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Players of Morocco celebrate a goal during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Portraits of Donny Strathie, a fan of Scotland who passed away on June 14, are displayed on the screen during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Scotland applaud after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Members of team Morocco celebrate after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Yassine Bounou (2nd R), goalkeeper of Morocco, applauds after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Ayoube Amaimouni of Morocco reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Scott McTominay (L) of Scotland shoots during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
John McGinn of Scotland arrives before the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Stephen Clarke, head coach of Scotland, gestures during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Players of Scotland react after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Nathan Patterson (L) of Scotland vies with Bilal El Khannouss of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Ben Gannon-Doak (C) of Scotland competes during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Ben Gannon-Doak (L) of Scotland vies with Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Morocco celebrate after the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Mohamed Ouahbi, head coach of Morocco, reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Scott McTominay (front) of Scotland reacts after he missed a goal during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
John McGinn (fornt R) of Scotland vies with Ayyoub Bouaddi (fornt L) of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Scott McTominay (front) of Scotland reacts after he missed a goal during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Lewis Ferguson (top) of Scotland competes during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Achraf Hakimi (R) of Morocco clashes with John McGinn of Scotland during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Spectators watch the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Issa Diop (front R) and Ismael Saibari (front L) of Morocco compete during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Players of Morocco celebrate the goal of Ismael Saibari during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco takes a corner kick during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Mohamed Ouahbi, head coach of Morocco, reacts during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Ismael Saibari (L) of Morocco celebrates a goal with his teammate Bilal El Khannouss during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Morocco pose for photos before the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Lewis Ferguson (R) of Scotland vies with Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Scott McTominay (R) of Scotland vies with Neil El Aynaoui (bottom) of Morocco during the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fans of Morocco cheer before the group C match between Scotland and Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
