Scotland's World Cup knockout hopes remain alive despite Morocco defeat
Scotland concede after just 71 seconds of World Cup defeat against classy Morocco but historic knock-out place remains in their own hands.
FIFA World Cup
Scotland 0 - 1 Morocco FT
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 the Africa Cup of Nations champions - 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.
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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 – live on the BBC – as they go for history.
Analysis: Slow start but reasons for encouragement
From the worst imaginable start, things didn't take the turn many Scotland fans would have feared they might.
The script – tightening up the left flank and asking Tierney to follow Hakimi around like a dog – was ripped apart before many punters had taken their seats.
Against Brazil, Morocco displayed not only their class but their tendency to start strongly. Scotland were well aware of the threat, they just couldn't contain it.
But once their shape solidified and they settled, Clarke's side managed to stifle their opponents somewhat.
Sure, they still rode their luck and collective gulps were taken a number of times as the African champions moved the ball about with ease and searched for a second, but there wasn't a capitulation of any kind.
Instead, there was control and aggression as the game grew on, opening the door to the optimism once more.
The introduction of the electric and energetic Ben Gannon-Doak was vital, with a natural winger willing and keen to test a tiring Moroccan backline.
The decision to start Tierney can be understood, but perhaps the lively Bournemouth wide man would have offered an earlier outball.
A confusing end, where few knew if the final whistle had peeped, saw the boys in dark blue scattered around with their hands on their heads and knees.
They gave it a real go after a nightmarish start. Something to take to Miami…
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