BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Morocco will look to draw inspiration from one of the most memorable victories in their FIFA World Cup history when they face Scotland in a crucial Group C encounter at Boston Stadium on Thursday.

The Atlas Lions head into the match buoyed by their impressive 1-1 draw with five-time champions Brazil in their opening fixture, a result that reinforced Morocco’s growing reputation as one of the most formidable teams on the global stage.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side will also take confidence from history. The only previous World Cup meeting between the two nations came at France 1998, when Morocco swept Scotland aside 3-0 in Saint-Étienne.

The emphatic victory remains Morocco’s biggest-ever win at the FIFA World Cup.

Morocco announced their intentions in the tournament opener against Brazil when Ismael Saibari stunned the South American giants with a 21st-minute strike. The goal was historic, marking the Atlas Lions’ first-ever World Cup goal against a South American opponent.

Although Brazil eventually fought back to earn a draw, Morocco emerged from the contest with renewed belief ahead of the clash with the Scots.

Scotland arrive in Boston as Group C leaders after edging Haiti 1-0 thanks to a deflected effort from captain John McGinn. The Aston Villa midfielder’s goal not only secured Scotland’s first victory in a World Cup opening match since 1982 but also made him, at 31 years and 238 days, the oldest Scottish player to score at football’s biggest tournament.

Despite Scotland’s strong recent form, Morocco will be encouraged by their own record against European opposition on the World Cup stage. The North Africans have lost only one of their last six group-stage World Cup matches against European teams, winning two and drawing three.

The Atlas Lions have also suffered just two defeats in their last nine World Cup matches, underlining the consistency that has made them one of Africa’s leading representatives in recent years.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is on the verge of making African football history when the Atlas Lions face Scotland in a pivotal FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash at Boston Stadium.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who is the reigning African Footballer of the Year,  is expected to earn his 12th World Cup appearance, a milestone that would see him become the African player with the most appearances in the history of football’s biggest tournament.

Hakimi currently shares the record of 11 World Cup matches with Cameroonian great François Omam-Biyik and Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan. A place in Morocco’s starting lineup against Scotland would move the 27-year-old into sole possession of the record.

The achievement would be another landmark in a career that has already established Hakimi as one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers. Since making his World Cup debut in Russia in 2018, the marauding full-back has been a key figure in Morocco’s rise on the global stage.

His performances were instrumental in Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals at Qatar 2022, the deepest-ever World Cup journey by an African nation. Four years later, Hakimi remains the heartbeat of the Atlas Lions as they seek another memorable campaign in North America.

The record attempt comes at a crucial moment for Morocco, who opened their Group C campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil. The result demonstrated once again that the North Africans are capable of competing with the world’s elite.

Victory over Scotland would significantly boost Morocco’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds and strengthen hopes of matching—or even surpassing—the achievements that have transformed the Atlas Lions into one of the most respected teams in international football.

Moroccan supporters will also draw confidence from history. The only previous World Cup meeting between Morocco and Scotland ended in a resounding 3-0 victory for the North Africans at France 1998, a result that remains Morocco’s biggest winning margin at the tournament.

Nearly three decades later, another positive result against the Scots would not only bring Morocco closer to the last 32 but also provide the perfect backdrop for Hakimi to claim a place of his own in African football history.

For the Atlas Lions captain, the occasion offers a chance to add yet another chapter to an already remarkable World Cup legacy; for Morocco, it is an opportunity to continue building on a story that has inspired a continent.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, VANCOUVER.

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Portugal to remain focused on their FIFA World Cup campaign after they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Group K opener on Wednesday.

The Portugal captain took to his X account shortly after the match to rally his teammates and supporters following a frustrating start to the tournament.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game,” Ronaldo posted.

Portugal entered the tournament among the favourites but were unable to secure victory against a determined Congolese side making its first World Cup appearance in 52 years.

Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead after six minutes, heading home a cross from Pedro Neto to put the Europeans in control. However, DR Congo grew into the contest and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa headed in Arthur Masuaku’s cross to score his country’s first-ever World Cup goal.

Despite dominating possession for long periods, Portugal struggled to break down the disciplined Congolese defence in the second half.

Ronaldo, appearing at a record-equalling sixth World Cup alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi, endured a difficult afternoon. The 41-year-old, who became the oldest player to start a World Cup match, was closely marked throughout and missed two opportunities from close range.

The draw leaves Group K wide open, with Portugal now under pressure to secure a positive result in their next outing against Uzbekistan.

For DR Congo, meanwhile, the result was celebrated as a landmark achievement, earning a valuable point against one of Europe’s leading nations and marking a memorable return to football’s biggest stage.

While the result fell short of Portugal’s expectations, Ronaldo’s message reflected a determination within the squad to quickly move on and keep their World Cup ambitions firmly on track.

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