Morocco handles Scotland in World Cup matchup at Boston Stadium

FOXBORO — Morocco ultimately decided this Group C match with Scotland inside the opening two minutes. Ismael Saibari’s second goal of this World Cup was an absolute stunner, and it made the difference in a 1-0 triumph. Saibari’s right-footed strike rocketed across the penalty area and into the top left corner, leaving Scotland keeper Angus Gunn no chance.

Brahim Diaz played provider just as he did for Saibari in Morocco’s opener, a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Morocco one win from knockout stageSaibari described the moment as a career highlight, and that comes at the start of a summer where he’s expected to complete a club move to German giants Bayern Munich. His sizzling current form has the surprise semifinalists from 2022 just a win over Haiti away from clinching a return to the knockout stage.

“Playing in the World Cup with your country is a childhood dream – one that has come true,” Saibari said through FIFA's translation program. “And now, scoring two goals for my country, I’m very happy.” Scotland falls to third spotScotland entered this perfect Friday night at Boston Stadium atop the group, thanks to a 1-0 win over Haiti in its opener here.

It ended the evening in third place after this result and Brazil steaming to victory over Haiti in Philadelphia, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in the opening half and Vinicius Junior adding a third. That same side awaits Scotland in its next match, which will come next week in Miami. “Never planned to start in that sort of manner, and it's really unlike us to do that,” Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson said.

“Normally we’re so defensively sound.” The sellout crowd of 64,146 fans were barely settled into their seats when Morocco jumped ahead. Saibari narrowly missed a second in the 10th minute when Azzedine Ounahi played a cross off the left wing.

Saibari couldn’t make clean contact in front, put off a bit by Scotland defender Andy Robertson through a late sliding challenge. Gunn’s deflection on Achraf Hakimi as he cut in off