Phew. Scotland ended a 36-year wait for a World Cup victory last weekend, thanks to John McGinn’s first-half goal against Haiti. For those of us who stayed up to 4 am to watch the match, the bleary eyes and sore heads were well worth it to see Steve Clarke’s men deliver three points.
Next up is a clash against a vibrant Morocco side, who looked superb in spells against Brazil.
That match eventually finished 1-1, a result which leaves Scotland top of Group C as things stand heading into matchday two. The onus is now on Clarke’s side to take something against Morocco on Friday evening.
Scotland have fate in their own hands
Scotland now knows that a point from the games against Morocco and Brazil should be enough to seal a spot in the knockout stage for the first time.
The win against Haiti takes some pressure off, but Clarke will be wary of the threat the Atlas Lions possess, and he should make a few changes for Friday night.
Scotland fans of a certain vintage (not the lad above, but including this writer) will remember what happened the last time we faced Morocco in the World Cup…
This time, Clarke will be hoping things are different. Although three points were secured in the first match, Scotland looked nervy in spells against Haiti.
Of course, considering this was their first World Cup match in 28 years, the nerves were anticipated, but things must improve against the North Africans.
A defeat means Scotland will need to take at least a point in their final game against Brazil. Not the ideal scenario.
Morocco looked excellent in spells against Brazil
Morocco certainly started the match against the Brazilians brightly and took the lead thanks to a superb goal from Ismael Saibari.
VinÃcius Jnr pegged the Africans back, however, but a point was a positive result for Mohamed Ouahbi and his men, especially with slightly easier tests against Scotland and Haiti to come.
The question is, can this Moroccan team replicate the feats of the 2022 side, which reached the semi-finals?
There was a real vibrancy to their attack in spells against the South Americans, with Brahim Diaz pulling the strings.
If they can play to their potential, Morocco should have more than enough to seal all three points in Boston on Friday evening.
Team news
Against Haiti, Clarke opted for a more attacking 4-4-2 system. Although the win was secured, it didn’t exactly pay off in terms of goals.
With Morocco posing a far greater threat in the final third, the manager will revert to a 5-4-1, which has been a staple of his reign.
This could see Lawrence Shankland drop out, with Che Adams leading the line alone. Kieran Tiernay will then come in as the extra defender.
Ouahbi will likely keep the same starting XI that grabbed a point against Brazil.
Prediction
This one is tricky to predict. Scotland showed flashes of brilliance against Haiti, it turned into a nervy performance all-round.
Morocco has enough to win comfortably in Boston, but Clarke’s men are going to give it their all to seal the point that they need for progress.
As such, I’m going with a 1-1 draw. A result which benefits both teams.
