MIMA Cup 2026

Scotland 1 – 2 Morocco

Monday, 9 February 2026

Pinatar Arena, Murcia

Scorers

Scotland: 1 Lily Boyce (21’)

Morocco: 2 Malak Mouman (66’), Mayssa Baha (84’)

Team News

Michael Tuohy named his first Scotland Women’s Under-17s squad of 2026 in January to take part in this year’s edition of the MIMA Cup.

Mehak Khanna, Abbie Burns, Lucy Jane Hope, Eilidh McCormack, Freya McIndoe and Eilidh McCormack joined new Scotland call-up Mollie Palmer as a part of the 20-player squad.

As It Happened

Scotland started the game with a strong attack, putting Morocco’s defence under pressure in the opening minutes and forcing them to defend several corners.

As Morocco started to find their feet, Orla Burn confidently blocked a dangerous cross, stopping the attack in its tracks and giving Scotland time to recover.

Morocco’s defence again faced pressure from the young Scots when Jessica Ramsay pounced on a poor ball out from Moroccan keeper Meriem Zeqaqi, causing a scramble that led to another Scottish corner.

On corner duty, Burn floated the ball into the box that fell to the unmarked Scotland captain Lily Boyce, who led by example, volleying the shot past Zeqaqi, and giving Scotland a much-deserved lead in the early stages.

The game heated up following Scotland’s first goal, taking the match to a much more physical level, though the young Scots held their own.

This saw some set pieces for either side, but Scotland’s Julia Gorska provided a stalwart defence, denying Moroccan Hiba Youssoufi on the occasions she was able to target the Scottish keeper’s goal.

With the end of the first half fast approaching, Morocco were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. A confident strike by Youssoufi saw the ball clash against the Scottish wall and fall to Celia Bouzman, whose shot went straight into the waiting hands of Gorska.

The last action of the first half saw both Orla Burn and Jessica Ramsay fiercely pester the Moroccan defenders, as both players had an eye for a second goal, but the determined efforts of their opponents left a dogged Scotland side eager to chase further goals.

No sooner had the whistle blown for the second half than Scotland were in the Moroccan half with a freekick; their opponents biting at their heels to avoid conceding again.

Oluwadara Ositelu soon found herself again working her way into danger areas as she had in the first half, and with some impressive link-up play from the wing by Mehak Khanna, Scotland continued to press for a second goal.

Unfortunately, despite pressing for a second goal, it was Morocco that scored next.

Following a short corner, a curling cross found a pocket of space in the packed box that was quickly found by Malak Mouman, who wasted no time in rifling the ball past Gorska and getting her team back into the game.

Scotland continued to soak up the pressure from the resurgent Moroccan side. Sofia Amar Ben’s long-range effort showcased Gorska’s goalkeeping with an impressive save.

The Scots often looked to counter on the break with chances that saw an excellent phase of play from Chloe Arrufat Wood, who played a perfectly-weighted pass through to Ositelu, whose own ball through to Ramsay would have led to a great goal if not for her straying just offside.

As both teams fought to find a winner, the Moroccans emerged victorious after a penalty was awarded in the final eight minutes of the match, with Mayssa Baha facing off against Gorska.

While Gorska’s tremendous save stopped the penalty, the parry away from her goal fell to Baha, who tapped in the winner.

The tables turned: it was Scotland that was chasing a result, but, unfortunately, it was not to be, despite their impressive attacking efforts.

Scotland Team

Scotland: Julia Gorska, Mollie Palmer (Toni Campbell 61’), Neve Fisher, Chloe Wood, Orla Burn (Fearne Smith78’), Ava Crawford, Lily Boyce © (Saoirse Coyle Morrow 78’), Mehak Khanna (Freya McIndoe 61’), Jessia Ramsay (Erin O’Brien 78’), Phoebe O’Donnell (Mirren Duncan 46’), Oluwadara Ositelu (Lucy Jane Hope 61’).

Substitutes: Abbie Burns, Toni Campbell, Erin O’Brien, Saoirse Coyle Morrow, Fearne Smith, Mirren Duncan, Lucy Jane Hope, Freya McIndoe.

Unused Substitutes: Abbie Burns.

Match report by John Shiels