Scotland denied two penalties as Morocco hold on for 1-0 World Cup win in Boston

Early Moroccan blow

Ismael Saibari smashed Morocco into the lead after just 70 seconds at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium, punishing a slow Scottish start. Scotland had entered the contest with confidence after a 1-0 opening win against Haiti, but the early goal forced them to chase the game for the remaining 88 minutes. They gradually grew into the contest, raising their intensity as the match wore on.

The penalty appeals

Scotland's frustration centered on two second-half incidents. Early in the second period, John McGinn burst into the penalty area and was bundled over by Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. Referee Tantashev saw no foul despite furious appeals from the Scottish bench. Clarke later said,

“I thought the John McGinn one was more a penalty [than the Scott McTominay one]. On another day somebody could give that.”

Then, in the 82nd minute, Scott McTominay carried the ball into the box and went down after El Aynaoui stuck out a leg. Replays showed the Moroccan made no contact with the ball and clipped the Scot. ITV's referee specialist Christina Unkel believed it should have been a penalty.

“I think it is a penalty kick. The referee is known for tolerating a higher level of physical contact but you don't need a lot to give a penalty. It's a simple foul, there's contact at the knee position.”

VAR did not intervene, and the chance to level vanished.

Pundits at odds

After the final whistle, opinions diverged sharply. Former Scotland striker Duncan Ferguson called the McTominay incident a "stonewall penalty", insisting the Napoli man was tripped at speed. Roy Keane and Ange Postecoglou took the opposite view.

“I think he's looking to go down. There's a difference.”

Postecoglou added,

“The Moroccan player puts his leg out but I don't think he gets enough of him for it to be a penalty. I think he was going down anyway.”

El Aynaoui's eventful night

The Roma midfielder was at the centre of most flashpoints. In the 36th minute, he clashed with McTominay and came off worse, lying on the turf with a bloodied mouth after a heavy collision. He spent a minute on the sidelines with gauze between his teeth before returning to play a decisive role in breaking up Scottish attacks. Clarke also argued that Moroccan defender Issa Diop was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card in the first half after felling Che Adams when the forward was through on goal.

Group C on a knife-edge

The single point from two games leaves Scotland needing a result against Brazil in Miami on Wednesday to reach the knockout stages. Morocco, with three points, have jumped above them and can secure their own progression with a draw against Haiti.