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World Cup day nine recap: Scotland edged by Morocco after 70-second opening goal

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World Cup LIVEPaul Rutherford / Reuters

Welcome to Flashscore's Football Tracker, where we'll be bringing you all the major news and updates from day nine of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

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Co-hosts USA through to World Cup knockouts with victory over Australia

Robertson urges Scotland to achieve World Cup history against Morocco

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World Cup 2026

The 2026 World Cup was held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament featured 48 national teams and was played in 16 modern stadiums.

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Live updates

01:21 BST - That'll do it for us tonight. Thank you for joining us, see you tomorrow! 

01:20 BST - There is still Brazil v Haiti to come overnight, which may concern Scotland. Anything other than a simple win for the Brazilians against the 83rd-ranked team would be a massive shock, but points dropped would keep the Tartan Army in Group C's top two.

Click here to follow Brazil v Haiti LIVE.

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StandingsFlashscore

01:17 BST - Speaking after Scotland's 1-0 defeat to Morocco, midfielder Lewis Ferguson told ITV: “I think (it was) the worst possible start. We never wanted to start like that. We didn’t touch the ball," he said on Ismael Saibari's opening goal after just 70 seconds.

"But I thought the reaction after that, defensively, (was) really sound, and we just grew out of the game, even in the first half, I felt we were probably beginning to grow towards the end... half-time probably came at a bad time for us.

“It just shows you how difficult it is to win a game at the World Cup. I’ve seen a lot of negative stuff about us winning against Haiti in the first game, and it’s baffled me to be honest, because it’s so, so difficult, every team is of a top level.

"Delighted with the response, but gutted about the result. I think, you know, the performance probably deserves a point.”

00:59 BST - FULL-TIME: Scotland 0-1 Morocco. It's hard to argue against Morocco winning that one, but Scotland will be wondering what could have been. Read our match report here.

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00:53 BST - There will be a minimum of six minutes added on before full-time.

00:52 BST - Ross Stewart and Anthony Ralston have been brought on by Steve Clarke.

00:44 BST - NO PENALTY! Scott McTominay goes down in Morocco's box, but just as was the case with McGinn's plea earlier, the referee isn't interested.

00:43 BST - Well, there are 10 minutes left to go of regulation time. Scotland are pushing Morocco, but not much has changed since the second minute. The Atlas Lions are seemingly in control. 

00:34 BST - Lyndon Dykes has been brought on, alongside Kenny McLean. Che Adams and Ryan Christie make way.

00:30 BST - And there's your final hydration break of the match. Scotland building a bit of momentum, but it's fair to say Morocco possess a significant threat.

00:22 BST - Ben Gannon-Doak has been introduced, as Kieran Tierney makes way.

00:11 BST - NO PENALTY! John McGinn goes down in Morocco's box, but the referee isn't interested in the Scottish pleas. 

00:07 BST - We are back underway at the Gilette Stadium! Stick with us for all the key updates. 

23:50 BST - HALF-TIME: Scotland 0-1 Morocco. You can't say Morocco don't deserve to lead, but Steve Clarke's men began to get a bit of joy just before the break - an interesting 45 minutes to come.

Key stats at the break
Key stats at the breakFlashscore

23:45 BST - There will be a minimum of five minutes added on before the break.

23:45 BST - Scotland have shown slight glimmers of hope over the last 20 minutes, but it's still Morocco's game to lose. It is getting a little bit scrappy, mind. 

23:24 BST - There's your first hydration break of the match, and yet another hit Americana tune to distract the fans in attendance. 

23:21 BST - 20 minutes in and it's still not looking too good for Scotland, who are struggling to lay a glove on Morocco. The Atlas Lions look very comfortable out there. 

23:02 BST - GOAL! Ismael Saibari! Morocco waste no time in taking the lead. After no more than 80 seconds, it's 1-0.

23:00 BST - We are underway in Foxborough! Stick with us for all the key updates as Scotland take on Morocco.

A vocal Scottish fan
A vocal Scottish fanPaul Rutherford / Reuters

22:54 BST - Flower of Scotland is being absolutely belted out at the Gillette Stadium. It could bring a tear to your eye.

22:40 BST - All eyes on Scotland, then. A win tonight would see them become the first Scottish team to reach the knockouts of a World Cup.

22:04 BST - FULL-TIME: USA 2-0 Australia. A big result for the Americans, who claim their second win on the bounce at this World Cup! Read our report here.

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21:58 BST - The ref's pulled up with cramp! A break in play.

21:35 BST - Team news is in for Scotland's eye-catching clash with Morocco in Foxborough. Check out who starts for whom below.

Steve Clarke has made three changes to the starting XI that faced Haiti – Nathan Patterson, Kieran Tierney, and Ryan Christie come in today for Ben Gannon-Doak, Aaron Hickey, and Lawrence Shankland.

Starting XIs
Starting XIsFlashscore

21:33 BST - The second hydration break of the match draws groans from the Australian contingent at Lumen Field.

21:28 BST - A lovely run down the flank by Australia's Nestory Irankunda, but the resulting shot failed to challenge the goalkeeper.

21:22 BST - Bit of a slower second period; the Americans seem happy enough to be leading 2-0 and Australia don't appear to have enough in the tank to challenge.

21:11 BST - Bizarrely, we had a false start from the US there. We are now underway.

21:10 BST - We are back underway in Seattle!

21:05 BST - Team news for Scotland's clash with Morocco will be coming up in the next 30 minutes or so.

20:53 BST - HALF-TIME: USA 2-0 Australia. A dominant performance from the co-hosts, nothing short of what they deserve.

Key stats
Key statsFlashscore

20:45 BST - GOAL! Alex Freeman's effort has been given! And rightfully so, the offside call was absolutely incorrect, with Jacob Italiano keeping his man onside. A long way back for the Aussies, 2-0 to the USA. 

20:45 BST - There will be a VAR check...

20:44 BST - NO GOAL! The Americans have the ball in the back of the net, but it's immediately ruled out for offside. Still 1-0.

20:25 BST - And there's your first hydration break of this match. Viewers in the US will be enjoying an advert or two now, while we in the UK watch the coaches definitely not taking a chance to instruct their players.

20:21 BST - Weston McKennie has made a particularly bright start to this match. Almost everything the USA are creating is going through him.

20:11 BST - GOAL! It's an own goal by Australia's Cameron Burgess after a surging run by Folarin Balogun. 1-0 to the USA. 

20:10 BST - It's the Americans who have had the brighter opening 10 minutes, but they've not yet done much with their possession. 

20:00 BST - We are underway in Seattle! Stick with us for all the key updates.

18:36 BST - Team news for tonight's earlier kick-off is now available. Check out who starts for whom below.

Mauricio Pochettino has made one change to the US starting XI that faced Paraguay – Ricardo Pepi comes in today, as Christian Pulisic is injured, while Tony Popovic has made two changes to the Aussie XI that faced Turkey – Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay come in for Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.

Starting XIs
Starting XIsFlashscore

16:49 BST - Up first today is the USA against Australia in Seattle, with kick-off set for 20:00 BST.

The Americans opened Group D with a 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay, while Australia picked up a handy 2-0 win over Turkey.

Here's what to expect when the pair clash in a match which will likely decide who comes out on top in the group.

Read more: What to expect as the USA take on Australia in vital Group D World Cup clash

14:18 BST - We've got a few hours to go until co-hosts USA take on Australia in the day's first game.

So in the meantime, here's England boss Thomas Tuchel enjoying some downtime after their opening win over Croatia as he threw the ceremonial first pitch for baseball team Kansas City Royals.

Tuchel was accompanied by Harry Kane, Dan Burn and Djed Spence on the field at Kauffman Stadium ahead of the Royals' MLB clash with the St Louis Cardinals.

12:42 BST - Scotland captain Andy Robertson has challenged the Tartan Army to make history against Morocco today by reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup for the very first time.

After winning their opener 1-0 against Haiti in Boston, a win would guarantee qualification from Group C, while a draw could also be enough via the best third-place finishers route.

"We want to be the first team to be able to do that for our country," Robertson said. "And it's obviously a nice feeling to try and do that.

"We know how difficult it's going to be. We're now playing against one of the best teams in the world."

Read more: Robertson urges Scotland to achieve World Cup history against Morocco

11:50 BST - FIFA have made a slight quirky rule change regarding the position of photographers after Thomas Tuchel voiced his frustrations at not being able to see his England team sing the national anthem.

Tuchel was unhappy that a wall of photographers obstructed his view of a "very special moment" prior to England's 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday, calling for FIFA to take action.

Photographers will now be huddled closer together, potentially closer to the halfway line, while a team's coaching staff will be allowed to stand on either side for an unobstructed view.

Read more: FIFA amend rules after Tuchel says photographers 'ruined' World Cup moment

11:07 BST - Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed he and his team could hear Ismael Kone's bone snap after the midfielder suffered a suspected broken leg against Qatar.

Kone was fouled by Qatar's Assim Madibo close to the Canada dugout during their 6-0 win in Vancouver on Thursday.

"It happened right in front of the bench – everyone could hear (the bone snap)," Marsch said.

"Your heart goes out to him, and everybody's a little shaken by the experience, because of the nature of the injury and also because Ismael is a big part of the team."

10:24 BST - Other co-hosts Mexico became the first team to qualify for the knockout tournament's stage with a 1-0 win over South Korea in Zapopan.

Luis Romo netted the lone goal and the winner after South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu dropped the ball.

Mexico have moved onto six points in Group A to ensure progression, while South Korea can still advance after their opening win over the Czech Republic.

Read the report: Mexico qualify for World Cup knockouts with narrow win over South Korea

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

09:42 BST - Co-hosts Canada are on course to reach the round of 32 after thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0 for their first-ever World Cup win.

Jonathan David netted a hat-trick for the Canadians in a fractious affair in Vancouver, which was overshadowed by a leg break to midfielder Ismael Kone.

Qatar's Assim Madibo saw his yellow card upgraded to red, and it followed Homam Al Amin's dismissal from the first half.

Read the report: David scores hat-trick as co-hosts Canada hit six past nine-man Qatar

Match stats
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09:15 BST - Good morning and welcome back to Flashscore's World Cup Football Tracker!

Scotland are looking to make history by making the knockout stage for the first time tonight, and a tough Morocco team stands in their way.

Brazil and hosts USA are also in action today, but first, a quick overview and reaction to the overnight matches.

Friday's World Cup schedule (all times BST):

USA v Australia (20:00)

Scotland v Morocco (23:00)

Brazil v Haiti (01:30)

Turkey v Paraguay (04:00)