Scotland 0-1 Morocco - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Scotland 0-1 Morocco - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Scotland faced Morocco at the Boston Stadium to kick off the second round of fixtures in Group C. After defeating Haiti, Scotland went into the game in high spirits. Morocco won the game by one goal, and while the score may suggest a tight game, it was from it.

It took Morocco just 2 minutes to find an opener. Caught sleeping in the midfield, the Atlas Lions pounced on a mistake by Scotland. Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz played a fantastic pass to Ismael Sabari who slammed it into the top corner.

Morocco came close to a second after Ryan Christie was dispossesed in the middle of the park. Saibari was unable to score his second after failing to get on the end of a ball from Ounahi.

Scotland were being swamped by the Moroccans in the early stages of the game, and it looked like it could get ugly. Nothing was sticking for the Scots as, with Morocco firmly holding control of the game. The hydration break could not have come sooner.

Morocco picked up where they left off after the cooling break, continuing to tear into Scotland. Brahim Díaz was inspired on the wing, tearing into the Scottish backline.

Bilal El Khannouss had a golden chance to make it 2, blazing his shot over the bar from close range. A sigh of relief from Angus Gunn pretty much summed up the situation in Boston for Steve Clarke's side.

Scotland had their best chance of the half in stoppage time. John McGinn's shot was deflected after a rapid counter-attack. The corner that followed didn't result in anything, but it gave the Scots a glimmer of hope going into half-time.

Halftime Score: Scotland 0-1 Morocco

Scotland began the second half with much more intent, however Morocco didn't appear too phased by their efforts. John McGinn burst into the box and screamed for a penalty after allegedly being brought down, but the referee wasn't interested.

Saibari nearly had his second moments later, with his shot being deflected off the crossbar.

Scotland continued to be pegged back by the Atlas Lions who were relentless in their charge for a second. It was truly a game of two different classes, with Morocco bossing the field in all areas. The odd half chance came for the Tartan Army, but it was never anything troubling for Yassine Bounou.

Brahim Diaz came close to making it two for Morocco had it not been for some luck from the Scottish defender, but overall the story stayed the same.

Scott McTominay had a penalty shout similar to McGinn's with 10 minutes to go, causing immense controversy around Massachusetts, but once again the referee waved it away.

Scotland began to ask a few questions of Morocco in the final stages of the game, and McTominay finally came to the party for the side, driving at the heart of the African defence numerous times.

Morocco nearly had their second in stoppage time, but Sunderland's Chemsdine Talbi saw his shot go over the bar.

Scotland clutched at straws in the final moments, depserately trying to grab something from the game, but it was all too little too late.

Full Time Score: Scotland 0-1 Morocco

Scotland Player Ratings

• Angus Gunn (6)
• Nathan Patterson (6)
• Grant Hanley (6)
• Jack Hendry (6)
• Andrew Robertson (5)
• Lewis Ferguson (6)
• John McGinn (6)
• Ryan Christie (6)
• Scott McTominay (7)
• Kieran Tierney (6)
• Ché Adams (6)
• Ben Gannon-Doak (6)
• Kenny McLean (6)
• Lyndon Dykes (6)

Morocco Player Ratings

• Yassine Bounou (6)
• Achraf Hakimi (7)
• Issa Diop (7)
• Chadi Riad (7)
• Noussair Mazraoui (7)
• Ayyoub Bouaddi (9)
• Neil El Aynaoui (7)
• Brahim Díaz (8)
• Azzedine Ounahi (7)
• Bilal El Khannouss (6)
• Ismael Saibari (8)
• Soufiane Rahimi (7)
• Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab (6)
• Chemsdine Talbi (6)
• Samir El Mourabet

Man Of The Match - Ayyoub Bouaddi

The 18-year old shone in the midfield for Morocco again today, putting in a flawless performance. Despite Saibari finding the back of the net, it was Bouaddi's dominace that really stood out.

Bouaddi appeared unphased at the likes of John McGinn and Scott McTominay today, holding his own with ease and dictating play from deep.

The sky is the limit for the 2007 born star.

Bad Day In The Office - Andy Robertson

The 32-year old captain has looked a shadow of his former self for a while now, and today really showed just how far he has fallen.

Robertson was ineffective in creating anything down the left flank throughout the game, and he was often caught out in defence by Díaz, with the winger having him on strings all day.

It's a huge honour to captain your country in the World Cup, but Andy Robertson may be doing more harm than good.