The Tartan Army descended on Boston Stadium with hope in their hearts but left with dread in their souls as Scotland’s hopes of knockout football took a significant hit.

A solitary point was all that was required to all but guarantee a place in the knockout stages, but an early goal from Morocco shattered that possibility. Despite two penalty claims, Scotland couldn’t find a way back into the match. Did it come as a massive surprise that Morocco would take something from the game, given they have lost only three of their last 63 matches since the 2022 World Cup?

Morocco opened the scoring after just 71 seconds. Experienced centre-back Grant Hanley, who should know better, stepped backwards, playing Díaz onside. He made no mistake in sliding a pass through to Ismael Saibari, who, from a tight angle, produced an emphatic finish into the top corner to give his side an early lead.

Scotland looked rattled and disconnected in the opening stages, and that only continued when Ryan Christie dallied on the ball, gifting Morocco possession. The African champions made no mistake in firing the ball across the face of goal and, fortunately for Scotland, there were no takers. It was a massive let-off for the Scots.

Hanley endured another difficult moment in the 17th minute as Achraf Hakimi turned on the afterburners, leaving the Hibernian defender in his wake. Hakimi forced Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn into a save- one inch further to the left and the shot would have rippled the back of the net.

The pressure from Morocco only intensified, with Scotland struggling to escape their own half. That trend continued into the 35th minute when El Khannouss collected a loose ball in the box. It appeared to bobble just enough to put him off balance, and he sent his effort over the bar. Another let-off for Scotland, who were caught sleeping at the back.

Scotland decided to ramp up their press in the closing stages of the first half. A great delivery from Andy Robertson in the 45th minute found, who else, John McGinn, but he blazed his effort wide. In fairness, it was a difficult chance for the Scotland hero, but in that fleeting moment you could sense the Tartan Army’s hopes had lifted.

Morocco were relentless in their pressing and that continued into the second half as they suffocated every fibre of belief the Scots had brought with them. However, their victory did not come without some controversy.

Four minutes after the restart, McGinn, like every other Scot, was adamant he should have been awarded a penalty after being brought down in the box. He drove towards the Moroccan goal before being challenged by El Aynaoui, who appeared to come across the Scotland midfielder. The referee, who had endured a poor evening, deemed it a fair challenge.

Scotland gave a much better account of themselves in the second half and tried to get on the front foot, but that came with the constant threat of the Moroccan attack. 

Seconds after McGinn’s penalty claim, Morocco were on the offensive again, and this time it was Nathan Patterson who was caught sleeping. El Khannouss had too much pace for the right-back and breezed past him before crossing for Saibari, whose shot struck the crossbar thanks to a crucial intervention from Jack Hendry.

Morocco continued to batter the Scotland goal. This time, Hakimi whipped in a corner and Gunn had to claw El Khannouss’ header away from danger.

Scotland mustered their courage once again and decided it was time to raise Moroccan heart rates, albeit briefly. Just after the hour mark, a clever ball from Scott McTominay found Christie in acres of space 20 yards from goal, but he blazed his effort over the bar — by far Scotland’s best opportunity of the match.

The final ten minutes were when Scotland finally came alive, very much the Scotland way. In the 82nd minute, McTominay went down in the box and, upon a second look, there appeared to be minimal contact. He may have been better staying on his feet and getting a shot away.

Scotland fans were on the verge of jubilation as the whole nation thought McTominay had equalised in the 85th minute, but his effort agonisingly struck the side-netting after taking a deflection.

The final chance of the match fell to Morocco in the closing stages, and Scotland’s blushes were spared by Gunn after loose play in midfield allowed Talbi to unleash an effort at goal.

Despite the result, Scotland are not down and out. They can still reach the knockout stages with just three points, provided results elsewhere go their way. If those points tallies change, then doubt may begin to creep in.

One point against Brazil on Wednesday night would surely secure knockout football for the first time in Scottish history. Until then, the nation will keep believing.