Scotland conceded after just 70 seconds to fall to a World Cup defeat against a classy Morocco, but their hopes of a historic knockout place remain in their own hands with one group game to go.
Head coach Steve Clarke had asked for the “footballing Gods to be smiling down on us” – with the knowledge one point would all-but confirm their progression out of Group C – but the Scots made the worst possible start.
Sloppy defending allowed Ismael Saibari to rocket Morocco – ranked the sixth best team in the world – into a sensational lead inside the opening two minutes.
Clarke shuffled his pack from Saturday’s victory against Haiti, with Celtic defender Kieran Tierney starting on the left of midfield in an apparent attempt to man-mark Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.
That plan was pulled apart, though, when centre-backs Grant Hanley and Jack Hendry allowed Saibari to scoot in behind and sensationally flash his side in front.
The strike sucked the life out of the jubilant Tartan Army, who again bounced down to the Boston Stadium full of optimism. They were swiftly left fearing the worst.
While Morocco – who drew with Brazil last weekend – were far superior in every department, they didn’t dismantle the Scots.
Clarke’s men had a fine opportunity to equalise before the break but John McGinn sliced his back-post effort.
The chance punctuated a promising end to an otherwise painful first-half, and the Aston Villa captain carried that momentum into the second half as he made a claim for a penalty.
It wasn’t forthcoming from stop-start referee Ilgiz Tantashev. While frustrations were still being vented in his direction, thanks were soon being given to Hendry for his last-ditch block and to Angus Gunn for his reflexes to thwart Bilal El Khannouss.
While Gunn’s opposite number, Yassine Bounou, was rarely bothered, the Scots again clamoured for a spot-kick when Scott McTominay hit the deck. Again, no dice. Less ambiguity about that one, though.
The Napoli midfielder’s deflected effort then had half the stadium celebrating all for it to hit the side netting, before substitute Lyndon Dykes directed a header wide.
From the worst start to a hopeful and promising end, Clarke’s side will carry that hope into their final group game against Brazil on Wednesday.
