Ismael Saibari scored his second goal of the World Cup 2026 after 71 seconds as Morocco became the first team to score against Scotland at the tournament in Boston on Friday.PSV forward Saibar latched on to Brahim Diazs lofted pass and struck from a tight angle inside the box, showing again why Bayern Munich are poised to sign the 25-year-old following his 21st-minute goal in the Atlas Lions opening 1-1 draw with Brazil.He looks a class player, former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told ITV. The finish against Brazil was deft but that was sheer power. The finish is absolutely ridiculous.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Scotland must regroup vs MoroccoWorld Cup 2026: Scotland confirmed team vs MoroccoWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs ScotlandWhere to watch Scotland vs Morocco: TV channel, live online streamsScotland vs Morocco: World Cup 2026 statsWorld Cup 2026: Scotland must regroup vs MoroccoMcCoist said defender Grant Hanley had misjudged Scotlands offside trap to allow Saibari to score.Just a poor decision from the centre-back, rued McCoist. He goes to step out and he goes at the wrong time and leaves [Saibari] onside.Victory would guarantee Scotland a place in the knockout stage following their 1-0 win over Haiti on matchday one.I wouldnt have thought they will open up too early, predicted McCoist. Theyll keep the same approach.Theyve just got to regroup, take shape, get some possession of the ball and play their way into the game.World Cup 2026: Scotland confirmed team vs MoroccoDefender Scott McKenna was out with a calf injury for Scotland, who brought in Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson and Ryan Christie.Aaron Hickey, Ben Gannon-Doak and Lawrence Shankland made way.Scotland starting XI: Angus Gunn, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney, Jack Hendry, Nathan Patterson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Che AdamsScotland substitutes: Liam Kelly, Craig Gordon, Aaron Hickey, John Souttar, Dominic Hyam, Anthony Ralston, Scott McKenna, Tyler Fletcher, Kenny McLean, Lyndon Dykes, Ross Stewart, Ben Gannon-Doak, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland, Findlay CurtisWorld Cup 2026: Morocco full line up vs ScotlandMorocco were unchanged.Morocco starting XI: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Issa Diop, Chadi Riad, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, Neil El Aynaoui, Brahim DiazMorocco substitutes: Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Marwane Saadane, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Youssef Belammari, Redouane Halhal, Anass Salah Eddine, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemseddine Talbi, Samir El Moukabit, Gessime Yassine, Soufiane Rahimi, Amine Sbai, Ayoub El Kaabi, Ayoube AmaimouniWhere to watch Scotland vs Morocco: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Friday was at 23:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on ITV1.Fans can stream the action via ITVs website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.Scotland vs Morocco: World Cup 2026 statsThese sides only previous encounter was during the group stage of the 1998 finals, Morocco winning 3-0 for their largest-ever World Cup victoryScotland have won eight of their last 11 competitive matches (D1 L2) and five of their last six (L1), with their only defeats coming home and away to GreeceJohn McGinn has scored 21 goals under manager Steve Clarke for Scotland, which is the joint-most goals by a player under a single Scotland manager along with Denis Law under Ian McColl (21 in 21 games)The Tartan Army could win more than one game and consecutive games at a single major tournament for the first timeClarke is leading Scotland at a third major tournament following EURO 2020 and EURO 2024, which is more than any other head coach for the national teamIncluding EURO appearances, Scotland have failed to surpass the opening round in any of their 12 previous attempts at major competitionsNine of Moroccos last 12 World Cup matches have come against European teams, with no side playing as many games at the tournament against European opposition since the 2018 finalsMorocco have lost one of their last six World Cup group matches against European opposition (W2 D3) a 1-0 defeat against Portugal in 2018They are unbeaten in their last five group stage matches at the World Cup (W2 D3), which is the joint-best run by an African nation: Cameroon were unbeaten in five between 1982 and 1990 and Senegal had five unbeaten group games between 2002 and 2018Reigning African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi made more tackles (26) than any other player at the 2022World Cupand recorded the second-most ground duels won (41)Midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi was France Under-21 captain until the midfielders switch to Morocco was approved in May. Brahim Diaz, who top-scored at this years Africa Cup of Nations with five goals, was born in Spain Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Andrew Robertson Andy Robertson FIFA World Cup Morocco National Football Team Scotland National Football Team Scott McTominay Steve Clarke World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Scotland v Morocco: Commentary, updates, goals and stats as Saibari goal puts Atlas Lions ahead Jon Fisher 19th June, 2026 Scotland vs Morocco live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups as Tierney, Patterson and Christie start, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 19th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: USA 2-0 Australia report, result, goals as Balogun and Freeman help co-hosts advance and why Rooney loves Pochettino style Ben Miller 19th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: USA vs Australia starts in style for co-hosts as brilliant run from ex-England youth star Balogun creates first goal Ben Miller 19th June, 2026 United States v Australia: Confirmed line-ups as co-hosts face Socceroos in Group D Nicholas McGee 19th June, 2026 New Liverpool signing Munoz set to miss more of World Cup as Spain forward suffers injury setback Nicholas McGee 19th June, 2026
