Morocco’s Victory Paves Path to World Cup Round of 32

Morocco moved closer to securing a spot in the last 32 of the World Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Scotland at Gillette Stadium. Despite the strong support from Scotland fans, Morocco started aggressively. Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of this World Cup, finding the net just 69 seconds into the game with a powerful shot past Scotland’s Angus Gunn. Morocco, led by Saibari and Brahim Diaz, dominated the first half. However, after the break, Scotland upped their game but failed to capitalize on a strong penalty appeal when John McGinn was fouled.

Following a week-long stay in Boston, Scotland heads to Miami to face Brazil on Wednesday. Morocco will play against Haiti in Atlanta on the same day. According to The Athletic’s prediction model, Morocco now has a greater than 99 percent chance of reaching the round of 32. Even if Scotland loses against Brazil, they might still qualify, with a projected 72 percent chance of advancing.

This tournament is the first to feature 48 teams. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams. Morocco leads Group C with four points, followed by Scotland with three. Brazil will face Haiti in another group match. Group winners face Group F runners-up in Houston, while runners-up face Group F winners in Monterrey on June 29.

Scotland Fans Boo Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan captain, faced boos from many Scotland supporters each time he touched the ball. Initially a background noise, the boos intensified during the match, notably when Hakimi took a corner in the 20th minute and again in the 39th minute after a foul on Kieran Tierney. Hakimi is due to stand trial on rape charges from an alleged incident in February 2023. He has consistently denied the allegations and expressed his eagerness to address the issue in court.

Saibari’s Spectacular Goals

The 2026 World Cup has seen high-quality goals, particularly from Morocco’s Ismael Saibari. Earlier, he scored a stunning chip against Brazil, assisted by Brahim Diaz. Against Scotland, Saibari’s goal was a brilliant combination with Diaz, who delivered a precise pass, keeping Saibari onside. Saibari’s shot was unstoppable, showcasing why Bayern Munich is interested in acquiring him from PSV.

Penalty Controversy for Scotland

Scotland struggled to create scoring opportunities, with an expected goal (xG) total of 0.2 after an hour. A potential turning point came when McGinn was knocked down by Morocco’s Issa Diop, though the referee dismissed penalty claims, and VAR did not intervene. The decision resembled a non-call in Scotland’s previous match against Haiti, illustrating how such decisions can even out over time.

Scotland’s Prospects

Though a narrow defeat to Morocco, Scotland’s ambitions remain intact. Coach Steve Clarke stressed the importance of limiting losses, a mindset aligned with the new format, where finishing among the best of the third-place finishers can suffice. Their goal remains advancing to the knockout stage for the first time. Still, Scotland’s performance largely depends on their match against Brazil and objective calculation of how their score stacks up in the tournament.