Boston, June 20 -- Ismael Saibari scored the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup so far, finding the back of the net just 71 seconds into the match as Morocco secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Scotland on Friday to strengthen their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

The early strike proved decisive in a physical and closely contested encounter played before a crowd of 64,146 spectators at Gillette Stadium near Boston.

Saibari, who also scored in Morocco's 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening match last weekend, continued his impressive form with a clinical finish that stunned the Scottish defence and goalkeeper Angus Gunn within moments of kickoff.

The 25-year-old midfielder, born in Spain and raised in Belgium, is rep...