Morocco and Brazil overcame Scotland and Haiti respectively to take command of Group C – and a big step towards the knockout stages at the 2026 World Cup.
In the early evening game in the pool between Morocco and Scotland, Ismael Saibari whacked in the only goal of the match in the second minute at the Boston Stadium.
Morocco held off a spirited final 20 minutes from the Scots, who are playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke was munificent in defeat.
"I really fancy this Morocco side to go deep in the tournament," he said. "They reached the semi finals four years ago in Qatar and they've got the players and the ability to get that far again this time.
"They're a terrific side but we matched them in the game. They got the early goal and we couldn't change the game."
Brazil take the lead
Brazil were among the 13 nations who contested the inaugural World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay, and a squad from the country has featured at every tournament since then.
The 2026 vintage started the competition with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, and proved too strong for a Haiti side making its first appearance at the World Cup since 1974.
Back then the World Cup was a 16-team affair and Haiti went out after the group stages.
Just over five decades later, the tournament has expanded to 48 teams, leading to the creation of a 32-strong knockout round for the top two from the 12 pools and the eight best third-placed sides.
Haiti eliminated
For all the innovations, Haiti suffered the same fate as in 1974 with elimination following a second defeat in the pool games.
Brazil beat them 3-0 in Philadelphia to go top of the group ahead of Morocco on goal difference.
Matheus Cunha scored midway through the first half and added his second after 36 minutes. Vinicius Junior notched up Brazil's third on the stroke of half time.
The results leave Brazil, Morocco and Scotland vying for the top two positions.
Whoever wins their final game on 24 June will go through automatically to the last 32.
Scotland will take on Brazil in Miami, while Morocco face Haiti in Atlanta.
