BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Germany will seek to build on the most emphatic victory of the opening round when they take on Côte d’Ivoire in a crucial Group E encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The four-time world champions announced themselves as serious contenders with a stunning 7-1 demolition of Curaçao, the biggest win recorded by any team in the tournament so far. The result not only underlined Germany’s attacking prowess but also sent a warning to the rest of the field that the former champions are intent on reclaiming football’s biggest prize.

However, Côte d’Ivoire arrive with ambitions of their own and a record that suggests they will pose a sterner challenge than Germany’s opening opponents.

The Elephants have found the net in each of their last six World Cup matches, the longest scoring streak in the nation’s finals history. That consistency in front of goal has become a hallmark of the West African side, who continue to blend physicality, pace and technical quality.

For Germany, victory would all but guarantee a place in the knockout phase and maintain the momentum generated by their opening-day rout. Coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to retain faith in the attacking formula that overwhelmed Curaçao.

Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, know that a positive result against one of football’s traditional giants could dramatically enhance their prospects of reaching the Round of 32.

With Germany’s firepower set against Côte d’Ivoire’s proven ability to score on the world’s biggest stage, the contest promises to be one of the most intriguing clashes of the second round of group matches.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Ecuador will look to continue their strong record against Concacaf opposition when they face Curaçao in a Group E encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The South Americans enter the match having won their last two World Cup meetings with teams from the Concacaf region and will be eager to maintain that trend as they chase a place in the knockout rounds.

For Curaçao, however, the fixture represents an opportunity to create history.

The Caribbean nation is one of the tournament’s debutants and is still searching for its first World Cup victory. After suffering a heavy defeat to Germany in their opening match, Curaçao will be desperate to demonstrate the resilience and determination that earned them a place at the expanded 48-team tournament.

A victory would make them the first of the World Cup 2026 newcomers to register a win and would provide a significant boost to their qualification hopes.

Ecuador are expected to rely on their experience at this level, but they know underestimating Curaçao could prove costly. The underdogs have already shown flashes of attacking quality despite their difficult introduction against Germany.

As the group stage begins to take shape, both teams understand the importance of securing points. Ecuador are chasing progression, while Curaçao are chasing history.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

Morocco took a giant stride towards the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Friday after a dominant 1-0 victory over Scotland propelled the Atlas Lions to the top of Group C and reinforced their status as one of the tournament’s most formidable sides.

A lightning strike from Ismael Saibari after just 71 seconds proved decisive at Boston Stadium, but the narrow scoreline scarcely reflected Morocco’s superiority as they outclassed the Scots for long stretches of the contest.

The victory leaves Morocco with four points from two matches following their impressive 1-1 draw with Brazil in the opening round. With one group game remaining against Haiti, the North Africans now need only avoid defeat to secure qualification for the knockout stage.

For a team that became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar four years ago, Friday’s performance was another statement that Morocco remain among the leading contenders from outside football’s traditional powerhouses.

The Atlas Lions wasted no time imposing themselves on the match.

Having entered the encounter buoyed by their commendable draw against Brazil, Morocco stunned Scotland almost immediately. Brahim Diaz threaded a perfectly weighted pass behind the Scottish defence, catching Grant Hanley out of position, and Saibari raced through before firing emphatically past goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

The goal, scored after only 71 seconds, was the fastest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far.

For Saibari, it was also another milestone moment. Having scored against Brazil in Morocco’s opening match, the midfielder became only the second African player to find the net in each of his first two World Cup appearances, following in the footsteps of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah.

The early breakthrough set the tone for what followed.

Morocco controlled possession, dictated the tempo and repeatedly disrupted Scotland’s attempts to build attacks. Their pressing game suffocated the Scottish midfield, while their fluid movement continually created openings in the final third.

Statistics highlighted the scale of Morocco’s dominance. The Atlas Lions completed 601 passes during the match, the highest total ever recorded by an African team in a World Cup fixture since detailed records began in 1966.

Despite controlling proceedings, Morocco were unable to convert their superiority into additional goals.

Azzedine Ounahi was at the heart of much of Morocco’s attacking play and almost helped create a second goal when he burst down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cut-back that narrowly evaded two teammates.

Bilal El Khannouss also came close after another sweeping move, while Saibari struck the post in the second half and El Khannouss forced a fine save from Gunn with a glancing header.

The one-sided nature of the contest was underlined by Scotland’s inability to register a meaningful attempt on goal until deep into first-half stoppage time.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was delighted with the performance, although he admitted his side should have converted more of their chances.

“We would have liked to score that second goal to be more at ease, but we wanted to keep them really, really high up so they wouldn’t get too close to our box,” Ouahbi said.

“When it’s 1-0 at the end, that’s the Scots’ quality. But it’s okay. No panic, no panic. We do what needs to be done, we defend, we keep pressing. But we played a great match. We lacked a bit of efficiency.”

The coach added, “We are happy, we keep going. The road is still long, but it was important to win today.”

The result also strengthened belief within the Moroccan camp that the ambitions voiced before the tournament are realistic. Ounahi raised eyebrows on the eve of the match when he declared that Morocco were targeting a place in the World Cup final.

Based on Friday’s display, such confidence no longer appears far-fetched.

Led by captain Achraf Hakimi, whose experience and leadership continue to inspire the squad, Morocco looked every inch a team capable of competing with the world’s elite. Their tactical discipline, technical quality and relentless pressing repeatedly unsettled a Scotland side that had arrived full of confidence after defeating Haiti.

Although the Scots pushed forward in the closing stages and threatened briefly through a series of late attacks, Morocco’s defence stood firm to preserve a clean sheet and secure three invaluable points.

Attention now turns to the final group fixture against Haiti, where a draw will be enough to guarantee passage to the knockout rounds.

For Morocco, however, qualification is only part of the objective. The Atlas Lions arrived in North America determined to prove that their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar was not a one-off achievement.

Against Scotland, they offered another compelling reminder that African football’s standard-bearers are once again capable of dreaming big.

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