Saibari scores in consecutive matches as Morocco claim top spot

Morocco's Brahim Diaz (left) dribbles past Scotland's Lewis Ferguson during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday. [AP]
Morocco's Brahim Diaz (left) dribbles past Scotland's Lewis Ferguson during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C match in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday. [AP]

Morocco remained unbeaten through two World Cup group-stage matches, following their draw with Brazil in their opener by defeating Scotland to move to one win and one draw.

Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 on Saturday at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts in their Group C second match at the 2026 North America World Cup. The victory lifted Morocco to four points and first place in the group, leapfrogging Scotland — who have three points from one win and one loss — and putting them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stage.

Having stunned Brazil with a 1-1 draw in their opening match, Morocco struck just over a minute into the first half. Brahim Diaz played a through ball into the space behind the Scottish defense from the right side of midfield, and Saibari burst past the defensive line, drove into the right side of the penalty area and fired a powerful right-footed shot to score in the first minute and 10 seconds of the match.

Saibari, who had also scored against Brazil in the first match, netted in consecutive games. Morocco continued to press and dominated throughout both halves.

Scotland thought they had won a penalty in the 48th minute when McGinn went down after contact with a Moroccan defender on the right side of the penalty area, but the referee ruled it a fair challenge and waved play on.

Morocco nearly doubled their lead in the 50th minute when Saibari struck a left-footed shot from directly in front of the penalty area, only for the ball to deflect off a defender and rattle the crossbar.

Scotland's hopes of an equalizer were finally extinguished in the 85th minute when Scott McTominay's right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area struck a defender's foot and lodged in the side netting. Scotland had sought revenge for a 0-3 group-stage defeat to Morocco at the 1998 World Cup in France, but 28 years on, they came up short again.


yjc@heraldcorp.com