Morocco moved closer to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Scotland at Gillette Stadium, thanks to an early strike from Ismael Saibari.

Twenty-eight years after their last World Cup meeting in France, the two nations were reunited on the global stage, but it was Morocco who emerged victorious thanks to a lightning-quick start and another tactically mature display from Mohamed Ouahbi's side.

Scotland arrived in Massachusetts buoyed by their opening 1-0 win over Haiti, while Morocco were eager to build on an impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil. By the end of the evening, the Atlas Lions looked like a side capable of progressing deep into the tournament.

The game was barely a minute old when Morocco struck. Scotland surrendered possession in midfield, and Brahim Diaz immediately spotted space down the right channel. His perfectly weighted pass found Saibari, who surged forward before unleashing a fierce finish beyond Angus Gunn and into the top-left corner.

The goal arrived after only 70 seconds and completely altered the complexion of the contest.

Instead of settling into their usual structure, Scotland found themselves chasing the game almost immediately. Morocco, meanwhile, grew in confidence and looked dangerous every time they advanced.

Saibari continued to torment the Scottish defence and was heavily involved in Morocco's best moments of the first half. He combined neatly with Azzedine Ounahi in one flowing move that should have produced a second goal, only for the final pass across the six-yard box to evade everyone.

Achraf Hakimi was equally influential down the right flank. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back repeatedly stretched Scotland's shape and forced Gunn into an excellent save after bursting through on goal and firing low towards the near post.

Morocco's midfield trio of Neil El Aynaoui, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Ounahi controlled large periods of possession, while Scotland struggled to establish any rhythm. Steve Clarke's side were second-best throughout the opening period and failed to register a meaningful effort until late in first-half stoppage time.

Their best opportunity before the break came when Nathan Patterson's inviting cross flashed through the penalty area. Neither Che Adams nor Kieran Tierney could apply the finishing touch before John McGinn volleyed high and wide from the resulting loose ball.

At half-time, Morocco's one-goal advantage arguably flattered Scotland.

The Tartan Army emerged with greater urgency after the restart. McGinn immediately drove into the Moroccan penalty area and appealed for a spot-kick after going to ground, but the referee was unmoved.

However, just as Scotland threatened to build momentum, Morocco nearly doubled their lead. El Khannous burst forward before feeding Saibari, whose deflected effort clipped the crossbar. Moments later, El Khannous forced Gunn into another sharp save with a powerful header from a Hakimi corner.

The turning point arrived around the hour mark when Clarke introduced Ben Doak for Tierney in an attempt to inject pace and creativity into Scotland's attack. The substitution lifted the crowd and briefly shifted the momentum, with Doak immediately driving at the Moroccan back line.

Yet Morocco's defensive organisation remained resolute throughout.

Issa Diop and full-backs Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui remained compact and disciplined, denying Scotland clear openings despite increasing pressure.

As the game entered its final stages, Scotland threw men forward in search of an equaliser. McTominay saw a penalty appeal waved away following a challenge from El Aynaoui, while Lyndon Dykes headed wide from a dangerous corner.

McGinn also delivered a teasing cross that narrowly evaded McTominay inside the six-yard box.

Still, the breakthrough never arrived.

Scotland entered six minutes of stoppage time without registering a shot on target, a statistic that underlined Morocco's defensive control. At the other end, Gunn preserved hope with an excellent save to deny substitute Chemsdine Talbi.

When the final whistle sounded, Morocco celebrated a fully deserved victory built on defensive discipline, midfield control and Saibari's clinical early finish.

Scotland will leave Foxborough frustrated after producing a performance that lacked attacking conviction for long periods.

Conceding inside 70 seconds completely disrupted Steve Clarke's game plan and forced the Scots into chasing the match from the outset. Morocco's technical quality and movement exposed Scotland's inability to control possession, while their midfield struggled to establish any sustained rhythm.

Defensively, there were moments of resilience, with Angus Gunn making several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but Scotland created very little of genuine danger and failed to register a shot on target.

Moving forward, Clarke must find a better balance between defensive structure and attacking ambition.

Players such as Ben Doak can provide greater unpredictability, while Scotland need quicker ball progression and more support for their forwards if they are to trouble Brazil in their decisive final group match.

Morocco delivered another mature and highly organised World Cup performance, following their draw against Brazil with a deserved victory over Scotland.

The Atlas Lions set the tone immediately through Ismael Saibari's superb early finish and looked the more composed side throughout the contest. Their midfield trio controlled large spells of possession, while Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui provided constant width and attacking thrust from full-back.

Perhaps most impressive was Morocco's defensive discipline. Despite Scotland's late pressure, Yassine Bounou rarely faced serious tests as Morocco's back line remained compact and well-drilled.

Saibari continued his excellent tournament with another goal, while players such as Ounahi, El Aynaoui and Bouaddi showcased the technical quality that makes this side so dangerous.

Two games in, Morocco look balanced, confident and increasingly capable of mounting another deep World Cup run.

Morocco's victory has significantly altered the complexion of Group C and leaves them in a commanding position heading into the final round of fixtures.

The Atlas Lions now sit on four points from two matches after drawing with Brazil and defeating Scotland, meaning qualification for the Round of 32 is firmly within their grasp.

Scotland remain on three points following their opening win over Haiti but now face a daunting final-day encounter against Brazil. The Scots still control their fate, but they may need a positive result against one of the tournament's favourites to progress.

Brazil, meanwhile, remain under pressure after their draw with Morocco and must avoid further slips. Haiti are fighting to stay alive in the competition.

Group C remains mathematically open, but Morocco have put themselves in the strongest position and look the most likely to finish top.