Saibari Strikes Early as Morocco Dampen Scotland’s World Cup Hopes
Ismael Saibari scored after just 70 seconds to puncture Scotland’s World Cup party, firing the highly-rated Moroccan side ahead under the blazing Massachusetts sun.
Despite the early setback, Scotland may privately have accepted this result before kick-off. Avoiding a heavy defeat against Brazil would keep alive their hopes of becoming the first Scotland team to progress to the knockout stage of a major tournament. Easier said than done, but history remains within reach for Steve Clarke’s squad.
The Tartan Army now heads to Miami for a decisive clash, calculators in hand. Whether a narrow win over Haiti or a narrow loss on Wednesday proves enough will become clear at full-time.
Morocco, meanwhile, will feel frustration despite taking four points from six. Their individual and collective quality dwarfed Scotland’s, yet a single-goal victory suggests a failure to capitalize. They will need to be far more ruthless against Haiti.
For Scotland, the only good news at half-time was that they trailed by just one goal. There were troubling echoes of their Euro 2024 opener against Germany, where they froze and fell 3-0 behind. Once again, Clarke’s team looked jittery and ragged. Players in navy shirts seemed surprised when pressed off the ball. Possession was poor, attacking impetus lacking—until a stoppage-time flurry. John McGinn had a half-chance from Andy Robertson’s cross but miscued.
Clarke surprised many by deploying Kieran Tierney on the left of a five-man midfield. The expectation had been a five-man defense, but Clarke kept four at the back with Tierney pushed forward.
Scotland barely had time to settle before Saibari struck. Brahim Díaz’s lofted pass deceived Grant Hanley, who appealed in vain for offside as Saibari ghosted in behind him. A single touch sent the ball high beyond Angus Gunn. Players and fans alike were shellshocked.
It could—and should—have been much worse. Scotland chased shadows as Morocco moved the ball with urgency and menace. After Ryan Christie was easily shrugged off the ball, Azzedine Ounahi played a glorious cross across goal that somehow eluded both Díaz and Saibari.
