The Tartan Army had barely finished the second verse of Flower of Scotland when the net bulged behind Angus Gunn. Ismael Saibari’s rocket after just 71 seconds – the fastest goal of this World Cup – silenced the travelling support and handed Scotland a 1-0 defeat that leaves their knockout hopes hanging by a thread.
Morocco, unbeaten in two and a half years and fresh from a creditable 1-1 draw with Brazil, punished disjointed defending in Boston’s scorching heat. Grant Hanley stepped out from centre‑back trying to play offside, but Saibari got in behind, collected Brahim Diaz’s pass and blasted past Gunn. The African champions immediately threatened a second, suggesting a long evening lay ahead for Steve Clarke’s side.
“Ismael Saibari’s 71-second goal gives Morocco 1-0 win; Scotland furious at two denied penalties.”
Scotland, who had opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti, took 45 minutes to muster a shot on target. Only Ghana had failed to register a first‑half shot on goal in the 29 previous World Cup games – the Tartan Army were minutes away from matching that unwanted record until John McGinn’s wayward close‑range effort in stoppage time and a blocked Kieran Tierney shot gave Clarke encouragement.
The second half saw Scotland huff and puff, but they could not find an equaliser – and they left the field furious at two penalty appeals turned down. The first came when McGinn went down under a challenge from Neil El Aynaoui, but the referee waved play on. The second, later in the half, also drew no whistle. Morocco held on to move top of Group C, while Scotland slipped to third, with Brazil facing Haiti later on Saturday.
“We should’ve had a penalty,” fumed the Scotland camp after the match, though no official comment was made public. The defeat leaves Clarke’s men needing a result in their final group game to reach the round of 32. For now, the memory of Saibari’s lightning strike and those two disputed spot‑kick calls will haunt a team that dared to dream.