Azaddine Ounahi’s Morocco struck almost before Scotland had settled, and the early goal changed the match in a flash. Saibari scored after 1 minute and 10 seconds in Boston, giving Morocco the lead and putting the World Cup Group C contest on Morocco’s terms from the start.
That mattered because Morocco needed to back up its draw with Brazil and try to move to the top of Group C, and Saibari did more than open the scoring. His finish was the fastest goal of the tournament, and it came in a game Morocco controlled with 65% possession as Scotland struggled to get the ball out. Morocco led at halftime, with Saibari already having scored in both of its first two World Cup matches.
The pace of the contest never fully matched the scoreboard. Scotland did find moments going forward, and Morocco was not perfect in front of goal either: El Khannouss had a clear chance from close range and sent it over, while Hakimi was denied in a one-on-one by the Scottish goalkeeper. Issa Diop was also booked for holding Che Adams, a reminder that Scotland was forced to defend under pressure as Morocco kept pushing.
Even so, the balance of play belonged to Morocco, which spent long stretches pinning Scotland back and recycling possession. A late Scottish attack in added time still sent the ball skidding across the face of goal, but by then the story of the first half was already set. Morocco had the lead, the control and the most important early moment of the match. What remained was whether it could turn that dominance into the result it came to Boston to secure.
