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Scotland had two penalty appeals turned down in the second half - Martin Meissner/AP
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There has been an unrepentant joy about much of Scotland’s World Cup thus far, but the nation previously glad simply to be back on this stage will go to bed nursing a fresh grievance.
Twice in the second half in Foxborough, Steve Clarke’s men were denied penalties that looked very strong claims. The Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev and his VAR team saw no reason for further action for the contact in question – first with John McGinn and later Scott McTominay when it was all on the line for Scotland.
Both times it was the Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui who was in the frame. The son of the former Moroccan tennis pro Younes, he had a fine game but he certainly rode his luck. At the beginning of the first half El Aynaoui leaned across McGinn in the right channel of the Morocco area and sent the Scotland No 7 off balance. Later El Aynaoui would appear to catch the toe of McTominay – subtle but telling as the Scot slipped into the area.
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Scott McTominay went down in the box - Paul Rutherford/Reuters
For Scotland, whose evening had begun disastrously with a goal conceded on 70 seconds, these were crucial decisions. They go into their final game against Brazil on Wednesday in Miami with their knockout place in the balance. They have lost to the team ranked fifth in the world by Fifa, the African champions on a recount, which was the outcome that most expected. Yet Scotland will wonder if it could have been better for them.
They conceded so soon into the game to the PSV Eindhoven striker Ismael Saibari, who scored in the first game against Brazil – and it took some time for Scotland to find their feet. Generally, Morocco controlled possession with greater finesse. Scotland tended to give it back to them far too quickly. By the end Scotland had not managed a single attempt on the Morocco goal. Ben Gannon-Doak’s second-half substitute’s cameo had given them momentum.
They stayed in the game and Steve Clarke will want to know why his team were not given different verdicts on one of the two penalty appeals.
More to follow...
Scotland’s two penalty appeals: Telegraph Sport’s verdict
Shout one: El Aynaoui on McGinn
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John McGinn goes down inside the box - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
What happened?
John McGinn received the ball midway inside the Morocco half. The Aston Villa captain broke into the box and, after a lucky ricochet, found himself wide on the right-hand side of the area.
McGinn nudged the ball clear just before El Aynaoui came across and the Moroccan appeared to catch the Scot and bring him down. Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev was unmoved, however.
What was the reaction?
There was incredulity from the Scottish players.
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Scotland cannot believe the decision - Paul Rutherford/Reuters
Was it a penalty?
On first viewing, yes. However, contact was minimal. If it had been awarded, the spot kick would likely not have been overturned, so the VAR was probably right to stick with the on-field call. It was a 50-50 call.
Shout two: El Aynaoui on McTominay
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McTominay also went to ground in the second half - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
What happened?
McTominay burst into the penalty area with the game in the last 10 minutes. The ball was on his right foot but El Aynaoui came across from the Scot’s left in an attempt to make the challenge. El Aynaoui tried to win the ball but got nowhere near it, and McTominay went down and demanded a spot kick. Again, Tantashev was unmoved.
What was the reaction?
Again, from Scottish players there was the same incredulity as in the first instance, as McTominay lay prone in the penalty area for some time. On ITV, their refereeing expert Christina Unkel was in no doubt. “I believe this is a missed impact to the left lower leg,” she said. “This is a very clear penalty.”
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Paul Rutherford/Reuters
Ally McCoist, the ITV pundit, agreed. “Christina is right – I think he got that one wrong.”
Other ITV pundits disagreed, though. Roy Keane said: “I do not think it was a penalty. Simple as that. I think he is looking to go down, there’s a difference.”
Ange Postecoglou sided with Keane. He said: “there’s not much there to give a penalty”, while Duncan Ferguson was adamant the referee “had to give it”.
Was it a penalty?
Yes, it looked like it – certainly to anyone of a Scottish persuasion. It was a poor challenge from El Aynaoui, who had no chance of getting the ball. The contact on McTominay was relatively minimal but again, if it had been awarded the decision would not have been overturned.
01:38am
Steve Clarke on BBC radio: Diop could have been sent off, penalty 50:50
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Steve Clarke was pleased with his team’s efforts - Patrick Smith /Getty Images
01:35am
Lewis Ferguson: So difficult to win games at the World Cup
01:25am
Ryan Christie speaking to BBC Scotland
01:16am
Ally McCoist on Scotland’s performance
01:12am
You can see Hakimi’s influence on the right
01:08am
Scotland fans back home going through the wringer
No need for despondency at this stage, Scotland are more or less where they expected to be. The one win could well be enough if they avoid a pasting against Brazil.
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Steve Welsh/PA
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Steve Welsh/PA
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Steve Welsh/PA
01:03am
Scotland have a case
01:02am
FT: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
A game settled by a goal that came 70 seconds into the contest. Scotland could well have crumbled after that, against a team full of confidence and fluency, but they deserve credit for keeping the game alive. They were one goal away from the promised land, but in truth they lacked quality going forward throughout the game. McTominay’s penalty shout was a strong one, though. Overall, it’s been par from Scotland: they have beaten a team they should be beating and have lost to superior opposition.
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Scott McTominay was involved in Scotland’s better moments - Patrick Smith/Getty Images
12:59am
96 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland have a corner! Stewart won the flick on towards Dykes and Riad sliced the ball behind this own goal. Whipped in to the near post, but a Morocco head meets it.
12:58am
95 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland need to get the ball launched, and Dykes does enough against Diop to keep the move alive. McTominay goes down again believing he was fouled, pounding the turf in frustration when he does not get the decision. A Morocco break ends with a shot being curled wide of the post.
12:56am
94 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Hakimi with a mistake deep in his own half, but Bouaddi was well positioned in the box to clear the cross. Just two minutes to go.
12:55am
92 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
We are into the second minutes of six added. Morocco have restored a bit of order in the last few minutes, but still time for one last Scotland heave.
But a slack pass gifts Morocco the chance to break, and Talbi’s shot from a narrow angle is tipped over by Gunn. The referee fails to spot the save though and a goal kick is given. Was VAR not supposed to check those at this tournament?
12:52am
89 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Another couple of Scotland changes made: Ralston on for Patterson, and Ross Stewart on for McGinn. Stewart will go up front with Dykes to attack balls put into the mixer. Time is against Scotland now.
12:50am
87 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
McTominay and Gannon-Doak get in each other’s way, throwing themselves at a cross swung in from the left. Morocco have more or less stopped attacking now though, Scotland are in the ascendancy.
Gannon-Doak then squeezes in a low cross from the right, but McTominay’s shot on the turn deflects into the arms of the goalkeeper.
12:48am
85 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
McTominay with a deflected shot into the side netting, and from the corner Dykes glances a header wide of the post. The Scotland fans behind the goal starting to believe they might have a goal in them, an equaliser that would put them in the knockout rounds.
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Martin Rickett/PA
12:45am
83 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland’s second penalty appeal of the half! McTominay claiming he was tripped in the box as he was winding up to shoot but the referee was having none of it. No sign of a VAR intervention. It was a nice knockdown from McGinn to Robertson to create the opening. Can Scotland create another couple of those moments? Dykes tries to provide once, but Riad ushers the ball behind for a goal kick.
Christina Unkel, ITV’s refereeing expert says: “I think it is a penalty kick. The referee is known for tolerating a higher level of physical contact but you don’t need a lot to give a penalty.
“It’s a simple foul, there’s contact at the knee position and there’s another angle that suggests there might be a step on the left boot.”
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That looked like another Scotland penalty – El Aynaoui on McTominay. Same midfielder who fouled McGinn earlier in the half for the other penalty shout.
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Paul Rutherford/Reuters
12:43am
81 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Morocco’s possession in the second half has perhaps been a little conservative, not for the first time they end up back at their goalkeeper. But they are hiding the ball from Scotland and holding them at bay as the clock ticks down.
12:41am
78 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Decent dribble off the right from Gannon-Doak but the ball runs through to the goalkeeper.
Bouaddi gets a foot in against McTominay, but the ball runs to Gannon-Doak. Morocco defend, but for the first time in the half it feels like Scotland might be winding up for a proper spell of pressure.
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Good run from Gannon-Doak. Scotland have really needed a player who can break a defensive line. Some tired legs out there now.
12:40am
76 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland fans are waiting for the cavalry charge to start, but no sign of it just now. Morocco’s young midfielder Bouaddi spends a lot of time in the right-back spot when Hakimi goes forward. Diaz then misses a chance to whip the ball across the Scotland six-yard box.
12:37am
74 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Searching ball over the top of the Morocco defence for Gannon-Doak to chase, and he finds himself in a race with the goalkeeper Bounou. The man with the gloves was always the favourite to claim the ball, and Gannon-Doak gets clattered for his trouble.
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Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
12:34am
71 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Confirmation of those Scotland changes: Dykes and McClean on for Adams and Christie. Clarke deciding against playing with two strikers, or introducing Shankland or Ross Stewart (The Loch Ness Drogba) just yet.
12:30am
68 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Time for the second hydration break of the game. Clarke is preparing another couple of substitutions.
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Scotland still giving up possession so easily. A speculative punt in the direction of substitute Ben Gannon-Doak is not what was required at that moment. Into the hydration break now and one suspects that Steve Clarke is urging his players to slow it down and conserve the ball when they get it.
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Andrew Milligan/PA
12:29am
66 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Morocco keeping the ball for another sustained spell in the Scotland half, but they have not put their opponents to the sword just yet. They are not playing with too much urgency in search of the second goal, Scotland relatively comfortable in their defensive shape.
12:26am
64 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
More than half a chance for Christie, shooting over from just outside the box with his right foot. He was teed up by McTominay after Robertson stepped in to intercept an underhit pass. It opened up nicely for Christie, he just got under the shot.
12:25am
62 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
McTominay with a needless attempt at a Hollywood pass, picked off easily by Riad. Then Gannon-Doak loses possession cheaply in his own half and Morocco win a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position. Scotland defend well, before Hakimi flashes a shot wide of the far post from distance. Well wide in fact, nowhere near enough bend on it.
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Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images
12:22am
60 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Tierney’s race is run, and he has been replaced by Ben Gannon-Doak. A more offensive option on the wing now, and Gannon-Doak will play from the right flank with McGinn switching to the left.
12:20am
57 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Excellent defending from Hendry, staying on his feet and refusing to take the bait from Brahim Diaz. The Morocco No 10’s shot is eventually blocked. The pace of the game has slowed a touch, Morocco dominating possession again. Tierney has sat down on the turf and the physios are coming on.
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Scotland just need to calm things down and keep the ball for a spell. It’s all nervous energy and then the ball given back to Morocco.
12:17am
54 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
This game is definitely more of an even contest now, even if Scotland continue to look a little blunt as a result of the attacking threats they have sitting on the bench. Morocco need to win this game, if Scotland can keep the game tight some anxiety could creep in.
12:14am
52 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
That little scare may have given Morocco a slap around the face, because they go straight up the other end and clip the bar through a deflected Saibari shot. They then win a couple of corners in quick succession, and Gunn shows his reflexes to keep out an El Khannous glancing header at the near post.
12:13am
49 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Vociferous appeals for a Scotland penalty! McGinn goes down under the challenge of El Aynaoui, who stepped across with his right leg, somewhat needlessly with McGinn going away from goal. Scotland are convinced, but after a brief pause when the referee puts his hand to his ear, play resumes. No penalty, the contact was not substantial enough.
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Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Very good case for a penalty there for the El Aynaoui barge across McGinn. If it had been given, one doubts VAR would have recommended a review.
12:10am
47 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Decent start to the half from Scotland, almost all of the game being played in Morocco’s half and the boys in navy blue are passing the ball around with more confidence. Robertson whips a cross into the box, headed away for a Scotland throw deep in the Morocco half.
12:07am
We are back under way
Scotland get the second half started. No changes at the break by Steve Clarke.
12:05am
That’s entertainment
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Fair to say that the half-time display, shall we say, by the New England Patriots cheerleaders has left the Caledonian audience faintly agog. Not something you tend to see at Motherwell on a Monday night.
11:59pm
McGinn and McTominay peripheral
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Lingering feeling that John McGinn is made that much more peripheral by his right-sided role. Very effective there for Aston Villa – but then Villa have much more of the ball most weeks and more dominant players elsewhere. No doubt Morocco will have prepared for McGinn and McTominay and their late runs in the final third - but they have hardlly been in it.
11:55pm
Sam’s half-time verdict
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Given the start, Scotland will surely be glad they go in just 1-0 down at half-time. The goal in 71 secs might have broken a more fragile team but these Scots lads are made of the proverbial iron girders.
Unfortunately, the defence was about as mobile in conceding the first. After that Morocco have had a lot of possession and looked very neat and tidy.
They have been selective about their attacks, and been happy to keep circulating the ball for long periods. Brahim Diaz is a wonderful break-the-lines player and once he is in the Scots box there is a fear that one wrong move and he will tumble over a stray foot.
That said, the two late attacks by Scotland and the half-chance for McGinn at the back post will give them some encouragement.
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Brahim Diaz has been a thorn in Scotland’s side - Paul Rutherford/Reuters
11:54pm
Looks such a threat
11:52pm
HT: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
For much of the half Morocco looked a class apart from Scotland, but Steve Clarke’s team have to treat going in at 1-0 down as a result, especially after conceding such an early goal. Surely Shankland and Gannon-Doak will be introduced in the second half, and there was some attacking encouragement for Scotland in the last five minutes. The next goal carries a great deal of weight.
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Morocco’s Ismael Saibari scores - Brian Snyder/Reuters
11:48pm
45+2 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Now Kieran Tierney has a shot blocked from just inside the penalty area, by far and away Scotland’s best spell. A brief VAR check comes to nothing.
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That was Scotland’s best spell. The cross from Robertson to McGinn a little too firm and then the second attack that followed a minute later thwarted by an excellent Aynaoui tackle on Ferguson. Scotland had a bit of time on the ball but they also passed forward and put pressure on Morocco.
11:47pm
45 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland’s best moment of the game so far. Patterson with a cross fizzed across the box with no touch, before Robertson returns the favour with a left-footed cross swept across goal. It was just too far in front of McGinn for him to volley at goal.
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Nick Potts/PA
Five minutes of added time to play.
11:45pm
44 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Ferguson whips a free-kick into the Morocco box, promising delivery but Morocco head clear. Then Mazaoui gets his body between player and ball to draw a foul from McGinn. The sort of foul McGinn is very good at winning himself.
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Charles Krupa/AP
11:41pm
41 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
On the occasion a Scotland midfielder has turned forward into space, there has been no runner or target for a pass. Some of that can be put down to the speed of Morocco’s transition from attack to defence, which is very impressive.
11:39pm
38 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Brahim Diaz’s quick feet in the box mesmerise the Scotland defenders, but he fails to get a shout away, and a flick round the corner from McTominay moves Scotland up the pitch. Tierney fouled just inside the Morocco half.
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Paul Rutherford/Reuters
11:37pm
36 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Morocco continuing to stroke the ball around, but Scotland fans might just feel they are over the worst of it now.
Not if McTominay continues to lose the ball in midfield though, although El Aynaouyi may well have fouled him in the process.
Saibari is at the heart of the Scotland defence, feeds El Khannous on the overlap but the winger scoops his shot over the bar.
11:32pm
32 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Diligent defending from Ferguson to win a foul from El Aynaoui in the Scotland penalty area. The Morocco midfielder’s driving run forward started with another turnover in the middle of the pitch, this time McGinn was robbed.
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Brian Snyder/Reuters
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This from the England fans still in Dallas before they head north. “1-0 after a nanosecond... oh how we laughed,” posted one England supporter watching on a big screen somewhere in Texas.
11:31pm
30 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Signs that Scotland want to press higher – McTominay closing down at the edge of Morocco’s box – but the danger is that makes the pitch bigger for Morocco. Diaz with a jinking run off the run, nice touch from Saibari, before El Aynaoui shoots over the bar.
11:29pm
28 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
We are back under way again. Scotland with a chance to break on Morocco but Tierney’s pass inside is poor and intercepted.
11:27pm
26 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
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Briseadh uisgeachaidh! As they say in the Gaelic speaking parts of the Scottish lands. That’s ‘hydration break’ to ye and me. Clearly a terrible start for Scotland, but they have finally enjoyed a bit of possession in the last few minutes. El Aynaoui and Bouaddi bossing midfield. Hard for Scotland who don’t want to jump out and chase the ball and then be passed around. Playing with Che Adams as a lone striker supported by McGinn on the right, the most advanced of the rest.
11:25pm
24 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Time from a hydration break. Much as fans, Scotland supporters included, generally hate this innovation it may be no bad thing for Clarke and the players.
As suggested by Sam earlier in the blog, Pep Guardiola is indeed in the stands. Plenty for him to like in Morocco’s football so far in this tournament.
Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing plays in the stadium, which might be just what Scotland’s fans need to hear.
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The hydration breaks are absurd. It’s no hotter than a balmy night in Dundee. Pitch largely in shade. I’d be cross if I was a Moroccan fan right now. Scotland fans, unlike England fans, are welcoming this stop. A chance to regroup. And crucially get to the bar.
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Nick Potts/PA
11:23pm
22 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland string some passes together around the halfway line, but it is all in front of Morocco’s defensive shape. A quiet five minutes would do Scotland some good, but Morocco look poised to counter-attack off the back of any mistake.
This a plus for Scotland, though. Issa Diop has been booked for dragging down Che Adams after the Scotland striker spun in behind him.
11:19pm
18 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland with another defensive scare, and for the second time in the game Grant Hanley was at the scene of the crime. Tried to usher a ball back to his goalkeeper that was never getting there, and it took a sharp save from Gunn to prevent Hakimi poking the ball into the net.
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Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images
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Morocco really fancy the early ball into the inside right channel. Achraf Hakimi almost got through just then – it’s where the goal came from.
11:16pm
16 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
McTominay with a pass that looked like going awry but it just about found its destination. Scotland cross the halfway line, but they lose possession again before the attack had a chance to develop.
McGinn has been Scotland’s most assured player, but after another good piece of control El Khannous tackles Patterson and the throw in goes Morocco’s way. The winger punches the air.
11:14pm
13 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Morocco enjoying almost all of the possession, which was not unexpected. They continue to look a very accomplished side. The earlier corner was taken short; they clearly feel putting the ball into the mixer would be playing to Scotland’s strengths.
11:11pm
11 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
A let off for Scotland after Ryan Christie is dispossessed in midfield. The Bournemouth man believes he was fouled, and he has a case, but the referee played on. Ounahi received a pass in the box, and his shot across goal trickled through the six-yard box. Could easily have been a tap in.
Morocco come forward with menace again, and win a corner. Scotland scrambling to keep up, it’s last ditch stuff in their penalty area.
11:09pm
9 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Tierney floated a cross into the box but Morocco cleared their lines quite easily, before settling into another long spell of possession. Mazraoui looks for the run of El Aynaoui, but there is too much weight on the pass and Scotland have a goal kick.
McGinn does well to bring a long ball under his spell, but there was not outlet in front of him.
Scotland are playing with a back four at the moment, Tierney in front of Robertson as a left-winger. That is an attempt to thwart the forward runs of Hakimi, Morocco’s right-back.
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Scotland’s Andy Robertson and Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui battle for the ball - Martin Rickett/PA
11:05pm
5 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1
Scotland barely had time to settle before the ball was in the roof of their net. Scotland have barely touched the ball so far. A few “Oles” from the Morocco fans, a bit early for all that.
Then Robertson wins the ball from Saibari to insigate Scotland’s first attack, but it was soon snuffed out.
11:03pm
GOOOALL! Saibari fires Morocco into the lead
The fastest goal in the World Cup so far, and Scotland’s defensive gameplan goes out of the window after 70 seconds. Grant Hanley was the player at fault, stepping out trying to play offside but doing so too late. Saibari peeled into the right channel, and lashed a Batistuta-like finish across Gunn into the far top corner. Brilliant, ruthless finish from the striker. What a ‘mare for Scotland.
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Ismael Sabiri had so much time to hit that shot that he could take the time to glance up and assess the option for a cross. A great strike but the Scotland defence just seemed to melt away.
11:00pm
KICK OFF!
Morocco get the game under way.
10:56pm
Flower of Scotland belted out
Steve Clarke is generally impassive, but you could the rising emotion on his face. One of the most rousing anthems in the tournament, and every syllable was hammered home by the Tartan Army.
We’re brought back down to earth after the anthem by another airing of Fifa’s official World Cup song DNA.
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For all its martial spirit, Morocco’s Cherifian Anthem stood little chance against another quite astounding wall of noise for Flower of Scotland. The Tartan Army have missed out on three hours of drinking time compared to last Saturday’s 9pm kick-off against Haiti but their anticipation, in the knowledge that a win here would guarantee qualification for the knockout phase, is palpable.
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Buda Mendes/Getty Images
10:53pm
The teams are out at the Gillette Stadium
The home of NFL franchise New England Patriots is colossal, those in the uppermost tier are in nosebleed territory. So far away from the pitch it must feel like the game is unfolding in slow motion.
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Getting through means so much that one fan has just told his long-term girlfriend he will marry her if Scotland qualify.
This is crunch time for Scotland. History in the making.
David Imrie, 29, a self-employed gas fitter from Edinburgh, got carried away with it.
“If Scotland get out of the group we will get married,” he said, adding: “It would be the best moment of my life.” Meaning Scotland qualifying, not getting hitched.
His girlfriend Taylor Mouat, 28, standing beside him was beaming. She has loved the World Cup so far. “I was only six months old last time around,” she said, “The country just becomes the football.”
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The teams emerge at the cavernous Gillette Stadium - Mark Stockwell/AP
10:43pm
Scotland fans have quite the songbook
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The stadium looks magnificent in the late afternoon sunshine. Two very well-supported nations. Of all the unofficial Scotland 2026 World Cup songs, my favourite is by the great Belle and Sebastian, who have written many a splendid song over the years. This one, It Only Takes One Lion, includes the excellent line “Mount Florida is coming to Miami”. Feels like they have been waiting years to write it.
10:41pm
Tributes paid
Donny Strathie, a 76-year-old Scotland fan, died in Boston on Sunday, and there will be a minute’s applause in the 76th minute from the Tartan Army.
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Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
10:30pm
Steve Clarke’s pre-match thoughts
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Steve Clarke seems to have adopted a safety first approach - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
10:18pm
One or two Scotland flags appearing now
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Flags are not allowed to be draped over advertising hoardings - Andrew Milligan/PA
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Scotland fans in their seats early - Abdulhamid Hosbas/Getty Images
10:10pm
Gannon-Doak can count himself unlucky
Ben Gannon-Doak, the 20-year-old wide player who is on the books at Bournemouth, was one of Scotland’s more enterprising attackers against Haiti, jinking inside from the right on to his left foot. He has a neat touch and is one of Scotland’s more technically secure players, but Clarke is not envisaging much possession in this game. I’m sure a lot of Scotland fans would have liked Gannon-Doak to stay in.
10:05pm
Morocco have named an unchanged team
Morocco starting XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari
Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Saleh-Eddine
10:02pm
Scotland team news: Shankland and Gannon-Doak out in switch to back five
We suspected Steve Clarke might look to batten down the hatches, and his team selection is a nod in that direction. Kieran Tierney and Nathan Patterson come in, which means a switch to a back three (or for much of the game, five). Andy Robertson and Patterson will be the wing-backs with Tierney a left-sided centre-back.
Ryan Christie in for Shankland means a packed midfield; Christie, McGinn, McTominay and Ferguson will play as a box. Che Adams to plough a lone furrow.
Scotland starting XI: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, McTominay, Ferguson, Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Adams
Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Doak, Hirst, Shankland, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna
09:57pm
Betting offers
09:57pm
Morocco will have greater support than Haiti
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Inside the ground it’s a different story. There’s a lot of Moroccan fans who have already taken their seats.
I’d be surprised if Scotland fans outnumber the Moroccans in the way they did the first game against Haiti.
Scotland scraped over the line and the magnificent support probably had something to do with that. There’s about 100,000 Haitians in Massachusetts but many were way too afraid (or impoverished) to get to the game.
The fear of ICE agents picking them up was a huge deterrent. Haitians from Haiti were banned from attending.
The same can’t be said of Moroccans. They’re here in big numbers. It’s a great kit and cracking headgear. I’ve counted quite a few fezes and a few fez/ baseball cap hybrid numbers. So that’s presents back home sorted.
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Morocco fans can be picked out by their headgear - Andrew Milligan/PA
09:53pm
Scotland fans happy to queue
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Not surprisingly, Scotland fans easily outnumbered Morrocan supporters in the bars on the stadium’s perimeter.
The Tartan Army belted out Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which the Scottish fans have adopted as their anthem. They danced merrily to it after victory against Haiti.
“This is just fantastic, the atmosphere could not be better,” said Jerry Maclean, 52, an engineer from Glasgow, “There are literally
thousands of us covering every inch of this place. There’s no finer place for a Scotsman to be.”
The queues at the bars were 20 deep. Caroline Johnson, 44, an accountant from Dunfermline, said: “This is ridiculous, but it’s
amazing and it’s just brilliant to be here.”
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Scotland fans are filling the bars around the stadium - Taylor Coester/Reuters
09:47pm
The hazards of the pre-match show
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Flag wars has claimed its first victim. Fifa volunteer Paula Restrepo Jurado, a nurse at a hospital in Boston, broke her hand pulling back the Scottish flag in their win against Haiti.
The giant flags of each side cover the pitch before kick-off, making for a spine-tingling backdrop ahead of kick-off.
But Ms Restrepo Jurado fell as the volunteers ran to remove the flag and broke her hand. Loads of volunteers were falling as the flag was pulled back, she tells me.
Fifa have now changed how the flags are pulled away to try and make the practice safer. She is now sporting a blue cast on her hand and arm.
Meanwhile, Fifa have maintained their strict flag ban on fans draping their own flags on Fifa hoardings. There’s not a Scottish flag in sight right now in the stadium in the 90 minutes before kick-off.
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The flags of Scotland and Haiti on the pitch - Nick Potts/PA
09:36pm
Some lovely cultural exchange going on
09:26pm
Scotland’s players have arrived
All on time despite the congestion on the roads, so that is the first hurdle of the evening negotiated.
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John McGinn scored Scotland’s winning goal against Haiti - Brian Snyder/Reuters
09:25pm
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09:18pm
The Tartan Army on the march
Bagpipes not an unfamiliar sound for Bostonians, as anyone who has watched The Departed will know, though the instrument played at police funerals in the very Irish city could be Celtic pipes. I fear I’m on shaky ground trying to elucidate the difference.
09:09pm
How far can Scotland go?
Find out by playing our interactive World Cup predictor. With a result tonight, they will be as good as through to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
09:07pm
When in Rome (or Massachusetts)
These Scotland fans have decided to wet the whistle via the great American tradition of tailgating; pitching up in a carpark near the venue with plenty of sustenance in tow. Food options a little limited on this occasion, not much chance of fitting a BBQ in your suitcase.
Many US stadiums are out of town affairs, so there is not necessarily the choice of pubs and cafes you find in the vicinity of football grounds in the UK.
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Scotland fans make themselves at home - Andrew Milligan/PA
Good job they did too, or else we may never have seen this witty T-shirt design: “Donald, Where’s Your Boozers?”
I think they found them without much assistance.
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Scotland fans drinking before the game - Andrew Milligan/PA
08:57pm
Guardiola could attend
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Pep Guardiola has been spotted in Boston and may well be on his way to the game tonight. The former Manchester City manager has been keeping a low profile since leaving the Premier League. He has been with friends in the lobby of one of Boston’s best hotels.
08:55pm
Heavy traffic on the way to the game
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The journey to the stadium is frankly a nightmare. Two hours from Boston to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough about 30 miles away and we still haven’t got there yet. Plenty of Scotland fans of course, but tons of Moroccans too.
It’s cloudy, breezy and warm but nothing too hot. About the best conditions Scotland could hope for.
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It has been slow going on the way to the game - Brian Snyder/Reuters
08:52pm
Scotland settle into familiar role as underdogs
Scotland fans are so close to a first World Cup knockout game they can almost taste it, provided the beer hasn’t excessively dulled the taste buds.
An edgy victory over Haiti means one point from their final two group games should assure them of a place in the round of 32. The fact those fixtures are against Morocco and Brazil makes things much more complicated, with Steve Clarke calling on his team to relish playing the role of underdogs.
Given a point would be precious for Scotland, we could well see a change of system from Clarke for today’s game. He paired Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland up front against Haiti, but Ryan Christie could replace one of those strikers should Clarke choose to flood the midfield and keep things tight.
France and England’s second-half spells of relentless attacking football would run it close, but Morocco’s first 45 minutes against Brazil was one of the best team performances we have seen at the tournament.
The Africa Cup of Nations winners (as things stand) have been cast as potential dark horses, and reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago. Their front-footed, energetic style made Brazil’s midfield look creaky, and there is plenty of technique and poise in possession too.
The most eye-catching performer was Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year--old Lille midfielder who will surely be on his way to one of Europe’s biggest clubs for a princely sum this summer.
In a quirk of fate, Brazil and Morocco were group-stage opponents the last time Scotland reached the World Cup finals in 1998. Morocco won 3-0, on a miserable night for Scotland when Craig Burley was sent off.
This Morocco team are more than capable of administering similar punishment, but Scotland fans are full of hope that their Class of 2026 has more big-game nous and resolve.
Full team news on the way shortly.
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