Scotland 0-1 Morocco: Ismael Saibari rocket silences Tartan Army as World Cup hopes knocked | OneFootball

Steve Clarke’s men battle to the last but are knocked off top spot in Group C

Ismael Saibari silenced the rambunctious Tartan Army with a rocket as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in both sides’ second match of the World Cup.

But they rose from there and battled to the finish, with Steve Clarke’s proactive attacking substitutions totally reversing the match’s momentum.

They could not quite string it all together, though, and Scotland were knocked off their perch. Doubt has thus been cast on their progression to the knockout rounds of this World Cup, which will be decided in Miami when they face Brazil next week.

Rocket: Angus Gunn could only watch as Ismael Saibari’s opener flew past him

PA

Morocco wasted little time stamping their authority on this tie. There was just 71 seconds on the clock when Saibari broke the deadlock, setting the tone for what would become a first half of one-way traffic with the earliest goal of the tournament so far.

Neil El Aynaoui and Bilal El Khannouss both missed close-range efforts they could and perhaps should have buried, but despite the seemingly unstoppable tide, Scotland kept heads above water, and the abnormally subdued Tartan Army were spurred back into life when John McGinn recorded their first shot of the match in the first minute of injury time.

The Scots raced out of the changing rooms in the second half, though, and had a particular intent about them after being subject to one of Steve Clarke’s increasingly famous team-talks.

An injury to Kieran Tierney compounded a difficult afternoon for Scotland

PA

John McGinn in particular appeared inspired. Early in the second period he won the ball on the centre-spot and hared into the box, where he was hacked down and controversially denied a penalty.

But Morocco rose to the challenge. Saibari saw a deflected effort hit the crossbar, before Bilal El Khannous’ header drew a smart save from Gunn.

Ryan Christie was the next man to go close, placing his shot a matter of centimetres too high after McGinn intercepted Issa Diop’s attempted clearance.

The second-half introductions of Ben Gannon-Doak, Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean did little to inspire after Kieran Tierney came off injured.

Scotland put foot to the floor in the closing stages and Scott McTominay finally woke up, also being denied a credible penalty shout, but ultimately the Scots failed to sufficiently challenge Yassine Bounou under the setting Boston sun.