Scotland face sobering reality after 70 seconds of World Cup regret | OneFootball

After Scotland’s joy and optimism from a party that spilt onto the streets of Boston over the last week, Morocco delivered a sobering reality check in just 70 seconds to leave World Cup history still agonisingly out of reach.

This feel-good story has seen 20,000 Scots descend on Massachusetts, daring to dream of a first ever knockout tie. Those hopes remain intact, however, with three points from two engrossing contests and now a goal difference of zero, but this passionate finale may yet leave regrets about a lack of ambition, or rather composure, from a regrettable start and selections from Steve Clarke bound to fuel debate long into the Boston night.

Regret, too, from Scott McTominay’s plea for a penalty, dismissed by referee Ilgiz Tantashev, after belatedly waking up in pursuit of that elusive point.

If Scotland stumbled over the line against Haiti, then Morocco, ranked 35 places above them and fresh from a semi-final four years ago in Qatar, represented a more formidable challenge and required fixed minds.

Clarke’s side knew three points and a sixth ever World Cup victory would take them to dreamland. But even a point would have put Scotland on the brink and allowed the Scots that taken over Boston time to breathe. After trepidation from group stage exits in 1974, 1978 and 1982, the nightmare 70 seconds to start this contest threatens to add 2026 heading to Miami and the five-time champions Brazil.

Scotland fans had vowed to boogie in a raucous atmosphere at the Boston Stadium minutes before kick-off. Yet the dance floor was cleared in a hurry thanks to the earliest goal Scotland have ever conceded at a World Cup. Ismael Saibari was slipped in down the right by a clever Brahim Diaz ball, and the PSV forward, subject of interest from Bayern Munich, brushed off Jack Hendry before delivering the most emphatic finish. Rifled on the volley into the top left corner, the Moroccan fans erupted in delight, with their Scottish counterparts statuesque behind the goal as the net rippled to leave them a mountain to climb.

A frantic start saw Scotland threaten to unravel, too, as Saibari picked the pocket of Ryan Christie and released Azzedine Ounahi down the left. The Girona midfielder’s pass then saw a tumbling Bilal El Khannouss merely inches from converting at the back post.

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Morocco's Ismael Saibari celebrates after the match (Reuters)

Scotland froze and were fortunate to not be two down after 16 minutes; the rampaging Achraf Hakimi almost poked the ball beyond a sprawling Angus Gunn after another delightful ball from Diaz to dissect Scotland’s cluster of defenders in a new 4-5-1 shape following three changes from Clarke. Kieran Tierney was thrown in, Ryan Christie and Nathan Patterson also deputised with Aaron Hickey, Lawrence Shankland and Ben Gannon-Doak missing out.

But the system failed to deter the PSG superstar’s marauding runs, enabled by the uber talented 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi’s awareness to drop into the space vacated.

And Hakimi’s presence soon became evident with each and every touch thanks to the growing jeers from Scotland fans. Just hours before kick-off, the 27-year-old learned from the French appeals court that he will stand trial in a rape case. He denies any wrongdoing.

The anguish that spread across the Tartan Army after such a sluggish start was palpable. So much so that a roar greeted Issa Diop’s foul as he barrelled into the back of Che Adams to earn himself a yellow card and some respite for Scotland. The first hydration break brought another precious moment to wake up, though they failed to grasp it as Diaz soon scurried away down the right, exchanged passes with Saibari and then dragged the ball back to the unmarked Neil El Aynaoui inside the box. But his shot saw the ball hurtling towards the towering lighthouse positioned behind the big screen.

Scotland’s faithful then hissed at Tantashev after 35 minutes, with Scott McTominay clattered without repercussions. And Morocco sensed a killer blow through Saibari on the break again. He fed El Khanouss only for his side-footed volley to curl viciously wide.

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(Reuters)

Hendry was then tied in knots by the jinking Diaz, but Scotland finally stirred in stoppage time to give the Tartan Army reason to rejoice. Adams fed Tierney, whose shot was blocked, but it represented progress and belief entering the final third. It was messy, but enough to finally unsettle Morocco.

Furious appeals for a Scotland penalty followed after the restart, though Tantashev ignored them after McGinn tumbled.

The menacing Saibari saw his shot deflected off Hendry and beat Gunn, only for the woodwork to save Scotland. El Khanouss’s header from a corner then forced Gunn into a smart stop at his near post.

Scotland sprung to life after the hour mark, McTominay dancing across the edge of the area and fed Christie, who shifted the ball and shot over the bar. But it was after the introduction of Gannon-Doak on the hour mark that Scotland finally found a different, more direct way to play, as he burst past Noussair Mazraoui, only to collide violently with the onrushing Bono. And Gannon-Doak wriggled past the full-back and the sheer unpredictability finally offered a chance for Scotland to land a blow or two.

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(Reuters)

Controversy soon arrived as McTominay, unable to wriggle free on so far on this stage as seen in a different shade of Napoli blue, sprung into life. He weaved his way into the box after a clever ball from Andy Robertson and fell to the turf with El Aynaoui in his vicinity. Another penalty appeal swiftly rejected, Scotland were furious and may bristle at a decision that might have gone their way another day. It was more like it, though, a faster tempo and a desire to flood bodies forward, with Lyndon Dykes going beyond the backline.

McTominay, on a swivel, then crashed into the wall that was Chadi Riad as he unleashed his shot inside the box.

Ayoube Amaimouni dragged just wide as Scotland offered up counter-attacks in a desperate late move to snatch a point, but as Lewis Ferguson’s corner was cleared, time was up.

Now the challenge is to settle nerves, as time is not up on this adventure just yet. But the colossal task of Brazil may require a slim defeat, at least, to ensure the party goes on.