The fastest goal of the World Cup so far, scored by Saibari after 72 seconds, allowed Morocco to move up to four points and take a (probably) decisive step towards the next round. Against Scotland the victory for Hakimi and his teammates was clear, much more than the final 1-0. Thanks to the Brahim Diaz-Saibari axis, also decisive against Brazil, to the sprints of Hakimi, who was booed throughout the match thanks to the indictment for sexual violence, but more generally to the organization of Ouahbi’s team. The Moroccans have confirmed that they have running, quality, tactical organization and players of international caliber. So the Atlas Lions can aim high in this edition too. On the other hand, the Scots were greatly reduced, having been helped by Haiti’s lack of consistency on the first day and who never managed to finish on target yesterday.
lightning goal
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Faced with the gaze of Infantino and Pep Guardiola, Morocco took just over a minute to turn the game in their favor. A question of attitude: Scotland kicked the first ball into a lateral foul to press, but they miscalculated because after about fifty seconds of possession Ouahbi’s men took the lead with Brahim Diaz’s verticalization for Saibari’s perfect shot: Hanley with a stone, a violent blow and a goal. Robertson and co were stunned and on the pitch the difference between the two teams seemed clear because the Moroccans pressed on every ball, preventing the build-up, while the Scots defended with an atypical 4-5-1, in which the attacking left winger, Tierney, followed Hakimi man-wise up to the defensive line. With this move, Clarke tried to avoid the offensive gusts of the PSG right-back, but ended up unbalancing his team who thus allowed the Africans to advance undisturbed until inside their half of the pitch. A fatal move when there are quality elements between the lines with Brahim Diaz, skilled at dribbling, Ounahi, good at running everywhere, and El Khannouss, very quick at diving down the left. After a golden quarter the possession was eloquent: Morocco 79%, Scotland 21. Translated: one team played football, the other chased the ball. Including McTominay, a distant relative of the one in the Napoli version. From this perspective, the absence of Gannon-Doak among the starters, among the best against Haiti, is inexplicable. Scotland finished with a certain threat only shortly before returning to the locker room with McGinn, while the Moroccans came close to scoring the second goal, which they would have deserved, with a high strike (from an excellent position) from El Khannouss.
zero risks
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The second half began with Morocco still in command of the pace and play. The Africans came close to doubling their lead with a crossbar hit by the usual Saibari (decisive deflection by Hendry), with a miracle by Gunn following El Khannouss’s head and with a shot from outside by Hakimi just wide. Clarke at that point decided to change the system and, with the entry of Gannon-Doak in place of the injured Tierney, he switched to a 4-1-4-1 with Ferguson in front of the defense and midfielders McTominay and Christie to increase the pressing. Results? Few. Because Morocco was still dangerous, while Bounou made no saves and ended as a spectator celebrating with his teammates.