Morocco's early strike proved decisive as Scotland fell to a 1-0 defeat at Gillette Stadium, with Ismael Saibari's second-minute goal separating the teams in a World Cup clash that saw the Africans dominate possession and create more clear-cut chances.
Scotland arrived in Massachusetts hoping to make an impact in their World Cup campaign. The Tartan Army faced a Morocco side looking to build momentum in the tournament. Both teams carried expectations into a match that promised to test their credentials on the global stage.
Morocco struck with devastating speed. Just 120 seconds into the contest, Ismael Saibari latched onto a loose ball and fired past the Scotland goalkeeper. The early breakthrough caught the home side off guard and set the tone for what would become a frustrating afternoon.
Scotland responded with typical grit and determination. The midfield worked hard to disrupt Morocco's rhythm, but clear opportunities remained scarce. Lewis Ferguson anchored the Scottish engine room with seven tackles, while Jack Hendry provided solid defensive cover at the back.
Morocco controlled the first half with their superior possession. The North Africans circulated the ball with precision, completing 601 of 671 passes at a 90 percent accuracy rate. Their attacking movements forced Scotland into a reactive shape throughout the opening 45 minutes.
The first-half statistics told the story. Morocco attempted 12 shots compared to Scotland's six. Only two Moroccan efforts found the target, but their expected goals figure of 0.95 suggested they created genuine danger. Scotland managed just 0.54 expected goals from their attempts.
Half-time arrived with Morocco firmly in control. Scotland needed to adjust their approach and create more attacking threat. The challenge lay in matching Morocco's passing accuracy while generating scoring opportunities of their own.
The second half saw Scotland push forward with greater urgency. Andy Robertson received a yellow card in the 66th minute as the Scottish left-back committed a foul while trying to regain possession. Despite their efforts, Scotland failed to convert their limited chances into goals.
Morocco defended their advantage with discipline and organization. Issa Diop picked up a yellow card in the 23rd minute but recovered to help marshal the back line effectively. The visitors' defensive shape remained compact and difficult to penetrate.
Brahim Díaz pulled the creative strings for Morocco in midfield, registering three key passes and one assist. His movement and positioning created space for teammates to operate. Saibari's movement and positioning earned him a match rating of 7.9, the highest on the pitch.
Scotland's attacking efforts never truly materialized. The home side managed zero shots on target across the entire 96 minutes. Their ball possession of 41 percent meant they spent more time defending than dictating play against a Morocco side that controlled proceedings.
The final whistle confirmed Morocco's victory. This result leaves Scotland facing a crucial task in their remaining World Cup fixtures. Morocco advances with three points and momentum heading into their next challenge in the tournament.
