Steve Clarke on BBC radio: Diop could have been sent off, penalty 50:50

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I thought we were good. Terrible start but the reaction to that was good. We had to dig in for five or 10 minutes just to get our feet in the game.

Once we were in the game, we showed we could cause them problems. The disappointment would be that we didn’t create the one clear cut chance that would have got us the point.

This group of players, this squad, have shown that [resilience] in abundance over the years. They’re in there, their flat, disappointed, but we’ve got another chance.

Everybody is talking about the Scott McTominay [penalty incident]. I actually looked at the John McGinn one, which was 50-50. Some referees would give it, some don’t. Sometimes VAR will get involved.

I was a little bit disappointed in the last man foul [from Diop on Adams]. For me, Che might be clear through on goal. On another day, you might get those decisions.

This team are ready to go again. We’re here to try and do what no Scottish team has done before. We gave it everything tonight, and we’ll try and do it again.

Lewis Ferguson: So difficult to win games at the World Cup

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We had the worst possible start, we didn’t touch the ball and gave away such a slack goal.

We were growing into the game, we were starting to feel really comfortable and I thought the second half performance was outstanding even though we’ve come away with nothing.

It just shows you how difficult it is to win a game at the World Cup. I’ve seen a lot of negative stuff about winning against Haiti but this just shows you how hard it is to win games at the World Cup.

I’m delighted at the response but gutted with the result, the performance probably deserved a point.

Ryan Christie speaking to BBC Scotland

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Had we played another five minutes, we might just have had them.

It’s frustrating. The start to the game wasn’t exactly how we planned it. It would have been easy to chase the game and get a bit disjointed. But we limited them to very little second half and started to play our football.

It just wasn’t to be.

I’ve thought the one on McGinn could have been a penalty, I had a good view of that. There wasn’t many fouls getting given out there, to be honest.

We need to take confidence. The immediate feeling is frustration and disappointment. This group of boys will bounce back, we’re so together.

Ally McCoist on Scotland’s performance

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It was a much better second half. Disastrous start, I thought we lacked a little bit of confidence and belief but in the second half we were much better.

Scotland could have, and should have, had a penalty but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a 1-0 defeat against a team that were in the semi-finals of the last tournament. We live to fight another day.

You can see Hakimi’s influence on the right

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601 - 🇲🇦 Morocco completed 601 passes against Scotland, the most by an African team in a FIFA World Cup match on record since 1966.

Tiki-taka. pic.twitter.com/ax0We6U9UF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2026

Scotland fans back home going through the wringer

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No need for despondency at this stage, Scotland are more or less where they expected to be. The one win could well be enough if they avoid a pasting against Brazil.

Scotland have a case

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I cannot believe Scotland have not had a penalty in this game. The second one on Scott McTominay is a clear foul. Doesn't get the ball, comes in from the side, slightly behind and trips him. Shocking VAR have not intervened #scotland

— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 19, 2026

FT: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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A game settled by a goal that came 70 seconds into the contest. Scotland could well have crumbled after that, against a team full of confidence and fluency, but they deserve credit for keeping the game alive. They were one goal away from the promised land, but in truth they lacked quality going forward throughout the game. McTominay’s penalty shout was a strong one, though. Overall, it’s been par from Scotland: they have beaten a team they should be beating and have lost to superior opposition.

96 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland have a corner! Stewart won the flick on towards Dykes and Riad sliced the ball behind this own goal. Whipped in to the near post, but a Morocco head meets it.

95 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland need to get the ball launched, and Dykes does enough against Diop to keep the move alive. McTominay goes down again believing he was fouled, pounding the turf in frustration when he does not get the decision. A Morocco break ends with a shot being curled wide of the post.

94 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Hakimi with a mistake deep in his own half, but Bouaddi was well positioned in the box to clear the cross. Just two minutes to go.

92 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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We are into the second minutes of six added. Morocco have restored a bit of order in the last few minutes, but still time for one last Scotland heave.

But a slack pass gifts Morocco the chance to break, and Talbi’s shot from a narrow angle is tipped over by Gunn. The referee fails to spot the save though and a goal kick is given. Was VAR not supposed to check those at this tournament?

89 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Another couple of Scotland changes made: Ralston on for Patterson, and Ross Stewart on for McGinn. Stewart will go up front with Dykes to attack balls put into the mixer. Time is against Scotland now.

87 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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McTominay and Gannon-Doak get in each other’s way, throwing themselves at a cross swung in from the left. Morocco have more or less stopped attacking now though, Scotland are in the ascendancy.

Gannon-Doak then squeezes in a low cross from the right, but McTominay’s shot on the turn deflects into the arms of the goalkeeper.

85 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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McTominay with a deflected shot into the side netting, and from the corner Dykes glances a header wide of the post. The Scotland fans behind the goal starting to believe they might have a goal in them, an equaliser that would put them in the knockout rounds.

83 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland’s second penalty appeal of the half! McTominay claiming he was tripped in the box as he was winding up to shoot but the referee was having none of it. No sign of a VAR intervention. It was a nice knockdown from McGinn to Robertson to create the opening. Can Scotland create another couple of those moments? Dykes tries to provide once, but Riad ushers the ball behind for a goal kick.

Christina Unkel, ITV’s refereeing expert says: “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 and there’s another angle that suggests there might be a step on the left boot.”

That looked like another Scotland penalty – El Aynaoui on McTominay. Same midfielder who fouled McGinn earlier in the half for the other penalty shout.

81 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Morocco’s possession in the second half has perhaps been a little conservative, not for the first time they end up back at their goalkeeper. But they are hiding the ball from Scotland and holding them at bay as the clock ticks down.

78 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Decent dribble off the right from Gannon-Doak but the ball runs through to the goalkeeper.

Bouaddi gets a foot in against McTominay, but the ball runs to Gannon-Doak. Morocco defend, but for the first time in the half it feels like Scotland might be winding up for a proper spell of pressure.

Good run from Gannon-Doak. Scotland have really needed a player who can break a defensive line. Some tired legs out there now.

76 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland fans are waiting for the cavalry charge to start, but no sign of it just now. Morocco’s young midfielder Bouaddi spends a lot of time in the right-back spot when Hakimi goes forward. Diaz then misses a chance to whip the ball across the Scotland six-yard box.

74 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Searching ball over the top of the Morocco defence for Gannon-Doak to chase, and he finds himself in a race with the goalkeeper Bounou. The man with the gloves was always the favourite to claim the ball, and Gannon-Doak gets clattered for his trouble.

71 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Confirmation of those Scotland changes: Dykes and McClean on for Adams and Christie. Clarke deciding against playing with two strikers, or introducing Shankland or Ross Stewart (The Loch Ness Drogba) just yet.

68 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Time for the second hydration break of the game. Clarke is preparing another couple of substitutions.

Scotland still giving up possession so easily. A speculative punt in the direction of substitute Ben Gannon-Doak is not what was required at that moment. Into the hydration break now and one suspects that Steve Clarke is urging his players to slow it down and conserve the ball when they get it.

66 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Morocco keeping the ball for another sustained spell in the Scotland half, but they have not put their opponents to the sword just yet. They are not playing with too much urgency in search of the second goal, Scotland relatively comfortable in their defensive shape.

64 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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More than half a chance for Christie, shooting over from just outside the box with his right foot. He was teed up by McTominay after Robertson stepped in to intercept an underhit pass. It opened up nicely for Christie, he just got under the shot.

62 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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McTominay with a needless attempt at a Hollywood pass, picked off easily by Riad. Then Gannon-Doak loses possession cheaply in his own half and Morocco win a free-kick in a dangerous crossing position. Scotland defend well, before Hakimi flashes a shot wide of the far post from distance. Well wide in fact, nowhere near enough bend on it.

60 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Tierney’s race is run, and he has been replaced by Ben Gannon-Doak. A more offensive option on the wing now, and Gannon-Doak will play from the right flank with McGinn switching to the left.

57 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Excellent defending from Hendry, staying on his feet and refusing to take the bait from Brahim Diaz. The Morocco No 10’s shot is eventually blocked. The pace of the game has slowed a touch, Morocco dominating possession again. Tierney has sat down on the turf and the physios are coming on.

Scotland just need to calm things down and keep the ball for a spell. It’s all nervous energy and then the ball given back to Morocco.

54 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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This game is definitely more of an even contest now, even if Scotland continue to look a little blunt as a result of the attacking threats they have sitting on the bench. Morocco need to win this game, if Scotland can keep the game tight some anxiety could creep in.

52 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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That little scare may have given Morocco a slap around the face, because they go straight up the other end and clip the bar through a deflected Saibari shot. They then win a couple of corners in quick succession, and Gunn shows his reflexes to keep out an El Khannous glancing header at the near post.

49 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Vociferous appeals for a Scotland penalty! McGinn goes down under the challenge of El Aynaoui, who stepped across with his right leg, somewhat needlessly with McGinn going away from goal. Scotland are convinced, but after a brief pause when the referee puts his hand to his ear, play resumes. No penalty, the contact was not substantial enough.

Very good case for a penalty there for the El Aynaoui barge across McGinn. If it had been given, one doubts VAR would have recommended a review.

47 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Decent start to the half from Scotland, almost all of the game being played in Morocco’s half and the boys in navy blue are passing the ball around with more confidence. Robertson whips a cross into the box, headed away for a Scotland throw deep in the Morocco half.

We are back under way

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Scotland get the second half started. No changes at the break by Steve Clarke.

That’s entertainment

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Fair to say that the half-time display, shall we say, by the New England Patriots cheerleaders has left the Caledonian audience faintly agog. Not something you tend to see at Motherwell on a Monday night.

McGinn and McTominay peripheral

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Lingering feeling that John McGinn is made that much more peripheral by his right-sided role. Very effective there for Aston Villa – but then Villa have much more of the ball most weeks and more dominant players elsewhere. No doubt Morocco will have prepared for McGinn and McTominay and their late runs in the final third - but they have hardlly been in it.

Sam’s half-time verdict

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Given the start, Scotland will surely be glad they go in just 1-0 down at half-time. The goal in 71 secs might have broken a more fragile team but these Scots lads are made of the proverbial iron girders.

Unfortunately, the defence was about as mobile in conceding the first. After that Morocco have had a lot of possession and looked very neat and tidy.

They have been selective about their attacks, and been happy to keep circulating the ball for long periods. Brahim Diaz is a wonderful break-the-lines player and once he is in the Scots box there is a fear that one wrong move and he will tumble over a stray foot. 

That said, the two late attacks by Scotland and the half-chance for McGinn at the back post will give them some encouragement.

Looks such a threat

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2 - 🇲🇦 Ismael Saibari is only the second African player to score in his first two appearances at the FIFA World Cup, after Egypt's Mohamed Salah.

Stage. pic.twitter.com/rQsRLFcoMu

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 19, 2026

HT: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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For much of the half Morocco looked a class apart from Scotland, but Steve Clarke’s team have to treat going in at 1-0 down as a result, especially after conceding such an early goal. Surely Shankland and Gannon-Doak will be introduced in the second half, and there was some attacking encouragement for Scotland in the last five minutes. The next goal carries a great deal of weight.

45+2 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Now Kieran Tierney has a shot blocked from just inside the penalty area, by far and away Scotland’s best spell. A brief VAR check comes to nothing.

That was Scotland’s best spell. The cross from Robertson to McGinn a little too firm and then the second attack that followed a minute later thwarted by an excellent Aynaoui tackle on Ferguson. Scotland had a bit of time on the ball but they also passed forward and put pressure on Morocco.

45 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland’s best moment of the game so far. Patterson with a cross fizzed across the box with no touch, before Robertson returns the favour with a left-footed cross swept across goal. It was just too far in front of McGinn for him to volley at goal.

Five minutes of added time to play.

44 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Ferguson whips a free-kick into the Morocco box, promising delivery but Morocco head clear. Then Mazaoui gets his body between player and ball to draw a foul from McGinn. The sort of foul McGinn is very good at winning himself.

41 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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On the occasion a Scotland midfielder has turned forward into space, there has been no runner or target for a pass. Some of that can be put down to the speed of Morocco’s transition from attack to defence, which is very impressive.

38 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Brahim Diaz’s quick feet in the box mesmerise the Scotland defenders, but he fails to get a shout away, and a flick round the corner from McTominay moves Scotland up the pitch. Tierney fouled just inside the Morocco half.

36 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Morocco continuing to stroke the ball around, but Scotland fans might just feel they are over the worst of it now.

Not if McTominay continues to lose the ball in midfield though, although El Aynaouyi may well have fouled him in the process.

Saibari is at the heart of the Scotland defence, feeds El Khannous on the overlap but the winger scoops his shot over the bar.

32 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Diligent defending from Ferguson to win a foul from El Aynaoui in the Scotland penalty area. The Morocco midfielder’s driving run forward started with another turnover in the middle of the pitch, this time McGinn was robbed.

This from the England fans still in Dallas before they head north. “1-0 after a nanosecond... oh how we laughed,” posted one England supporter watching on a big screen somewhere in Texas.

30 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Signs that Scotland want to press higher – McTominay closing down at the edge of Morocco’s box – but the danger is that makes the pitch bigger for Morocco. Diaz with a jinking run off the run, nice touch from Saibari, before El Aynaoui shoots over the bar.

28 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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We are back under way again. Scotland with a chance to break on Morocco but Tierney’s pass inside is poor and intercepted.

26 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Briseadh uisgeachaidh! As they say in the Gaelic speaking parts of the Scottish lands. That’s ‘hydration break’ to ye and me. Clearly a terrible start for Scotland, but they have finally enjoyed a bit of possession in the last few minutes. El Aynaoui and Bouaddi bossing midfield. Hard for Scotland who don’t want to jump out and chase the ball and then be passed around. Playing with Che Adams as a lone striker supported by McGinn on the right, the most advanced of the rest.

24 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Time from a hydration break. Much as fans, Scotland supporters included, generally hate this innovation it may be no bad thing for Clarke and the players.

As suggested by Sam earlier in the blog, Pep Guardiola is indeed in the stands. Plenty for him to like in Morocco’s football so far in this tournament.

Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing plays in the stadium, which might be just what Scotland’s fans need to hear.

The hydration breaks are absurd. It’s no hotter than a balmy night in Dundee. Pitch largely in shade. I’d be cross if I was a Moroccan fan right now. Scotland fans, unlike England fans, are welcoming this stop. A chance to regroup. And crucially get to the bar.

22 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland string some passes together around the halfway line, but it is all in front of Morocco’s defensive shape. A quiet five minutes would do Scotland some good, but Morocco look poised to counter-attack off the back of any mistake.

This a plus for Scotland, though. Issa Diop has been booked for dragging down Che Adams after the Scotland striker spun in behind him.

18 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland with another defensive scare, and for the second time in the game Grant Hanley was at the scene of the crime. Tried to usher a ball back to his goalkeeper that was never getting there, and it took a sharp save from Gunn to prevent Hakimi poking the ball into the net.

Morocco really fancy the early ball into the inside right channel. Achraf Hakimi almost got through just then – it’s where the goal came from.

16 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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McTominay with a pass that looked like going awry but it just about found its destination. Scotland cross the halfway line, but they lose possession again before the attack had a chance to develop.

McGinn has been Scotland’s most assured player, but after another good piece of control El Khannous tackles Patterson and the throw in goes Morocco’s way. The winger punches the air.

13 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Morocco enjoying almost all of the possession, which was not unexpected. They continue to look a very accomplished side. The earlier corner was taken short; they clearly feel putting the ball into the mixer would be playing to Scotland’s strengths.

11 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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A let off for Scotland after Ryan Christie is dispossessed in midfield. The Bournemouth man believes he was fouled, and he has a case, but the referee played on. Ounahi received a pass in the box, and his shot across goal trickled through the six-yard box. Could easily have been a tap in.

Morocco come forward with menace again, and win a corner. Scotland scrambling to keep up, it’s last ditch stuff in their penalty area.

9 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Tierney floated a cross into the box but Morocco cleared their lines quite easily, before settling into another long spell of possession. Mazraoui looks for the run of El Aynaoui, but there is too much weight on the pass and Scotland have a goal kick.

McGinn does well to bring a long ball under his spell, but there was not outlet in front of him.

Scotland are playing with a back four at the moment, Tierney in front of Robertson as a left-winger. That is an attempt to thwart the forward runs of Hakimi, Morocco’s right-back.

5 minutes: Scotland 0 Morocco 1

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Scotland barely had time to settle before the ball was in the roof of their net. Scotland have barely touched the ball so far. A few “Oles” from the Morocco fans, a bit early for all that.

Then Robertson wins the ball from Saibari to insigate Scotland’s first attack, but it was soon snuffed out.

GOOOALL! Saibari fires Morocco into the lead

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The fastest goal in the World Cup so far, and Scotland’s defensive gameplan goes out of the window after 70 seconds. Grant Hanley was the player at fault, stepping out trying to play offside but doing so too late. Saibari peeled into the right channel, and lashed a Batistuta-like finish across Gunn into the far top corner. Brilliant, ruthless finish from the striker. What a ‘mare for Scotland.

Ismael Sabiri had so much time to hit that shot that he could take the time to glance up and assess the option for a cross. A great strike but the Scotland defence just seemed to melt away.

KICK OFF!

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Morocco get the game under way.

Flower of Scotland belted out

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Steve Clarke is generally impassive, but you could the rising emotion on his face. One of the most rousing anthems in the tournament, and every syllable was hammered home by the Tartan Army.

We’re brought back down to earth after the anthem by another airing of Fifa’s official World Cup song DNA.

For all its martial spirit, Morocco’s Cherifian Anthem stood little chance against another quite astounding wall of noise for Flower of Scotland. The Tartan Army have missed out on three hours of drinking time compared to last Saturday’s 9pm kick-off against Haiti but their anticipation, in the knowledge that a win here would guarantee qualification for the knockout phase, is palpable.

The teams are out at the Gillette Stadium

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The home of NFL franchise New England Patriots is colossal, those in the uppermost tier are in nosebleed territory. So far away from the pitch it must feel like the game is unfolding in slow motion.

Getting through means so much that one fan has just told his long-term girlfriend he will marry her if Scotland qualify.

This is crunch time for Scotland. History in the making.

David Imrie, 29, a self-employed gas fitter from Edinburgh, got carried away with it.

“If Scotland get out of the group we will get married,” he said, adding: “It would be the best moment of my life.” Meaning Scotland qualifying, not getting hitched.

His girlfriend Taylor Mouat, 28, standing beside him was beaming. She has loved the World Cup so far. “I was only six months old last time around,” she said, “The country just becomes the football.”

Scotland fans have quite the songbook

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The stadium looks magnificent in the late afternoon sunshine. Two very well-supported nations. Of all the unofficial Scotland 2026 World Cup songs, my favourite is by the great Belle and Sebastian, who have written many a splendid song over the years. This one, It Only Takes One Lion, includes the excellent line “Mount Florida is coming to Miami”. Feels like they have been waiting years to write it. 

Tributes paid

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Donny Strathie, a 76-year-old Scotland fan, died in Boston on Sunday, and there will be a minute’s applause in the 76th minute from the Tartan Army.

Steve Clarke’s pre-match thoughts

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Just a few rotations to freshen it up a little bit.

It was a big shift in the first game, it’s going to be a big shift tonight.

In your head as a coach you’re always trying to second guess what might happen in a game, someone like Ben [Gannon-Doak] coming on in the second half can be really valuable for us.

Morocco are one of the favourites for the tournament, they’ll aim to be in the last four. We need to be as good as we can be with the ball, and as good as we can without the ball. Big ask for the players, but they’ll be ready.

We just focus on this game, play as well as we can and hopefully the football gods are smiling on us.

One or two Scotland flags appearing now

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Gannon-Doak can count himself unlucky

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Ben Gannon-Doak, the 20-year-old wide player who is on the books at Bournemouth, was one of Scotland’s more enterprising attackers against Haiti, jinking inside from the right on to his left foot. He has a neat touch and is one of Scotland’s more technically secure players, but Clarke is not envisaging much possession in this game. I’m sure a lot of Scotland fans would have liked Gannon-Doak to stay in.

Morocco have named an unchanged team

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Morocco starting XI: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannous, Saibari

Subs: Mohamedi, Tagnaouti, Amrabat, Saadane, Talbi, Rahimi, El Ouahdi, El Mourabet, Yassine, Sbai, Belammari, El Kaabi, Amaimouni-Echghouyab, Halhal, Saleh-Eddine

Scotland team news: Shankland and Gannon-Doak out in switch to back five

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We suspected Steve Clarke might look to batten down the hatches, and his team selection is a nod in that direction. Kieran Tierney and Nathan Patterson come in, which means a switch to a back three (or for much of the game, five). Andy Robertson and Patterson will be the wing-backs with Tierney a left-sided centre-back.

Ryan Christie in for Shankland means a packed midfield; Christie, McGinn, McTominay and Ferguson will play as a box. Che Adams to plough a lone furrow.

Scotland starting XI: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, McTominay, Ferguson, Robertson, McGinn, Christie, Adams

Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Fletcher, Dykes, Stewart, Souttar, Hyam, Doak, Hirst, Shankland, McLean, Ralston, Curtis, McKenna 

Morocco will have greater support than Haiti

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Inside the ground it’s a different story. There’s a lot of Moroccan fans who have already taken their seats.

I’d be surprised if Scotland fans outnumber the Moroccans in the way they did the first game against Haiti.

Scotland scraped over the line and the magnificent support probably had something to do with that. There’s about 100,000 Haitians in Massachusetts but many were way too afraid (or impoverished) to get to the game.

The fear of ICE agents picking them up was a huge deterrent. Haitians from Haiti were banned from attending.

The same can’t be said of Moroccans. They’re here in big numbers. It’s a great kit and cracking headgear. I’ve counted quite a few fezes and a few fez/ baseball cap hybrid numbers. So that’s presents back home sorted.

Scotland fans happy to queue

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Not surprisingly, Scotland fans easily outnumbered Morrocan supporters in the bars on the stadium’s perimeter.

The Tartan Army belted out Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which the Scottish fans have adopted as their anthem. They danced merrily to it after victory against Haiti.

“This is just fantastic, the atmosphere could not be better,” said Jerry Maclean, 52, an engineer from Glasgow, “There are literally
thousands of us covering every inch of this place. There’s no finer place for a Scotsman to be.”

The queues at the bars were 20 deep. Caroline Johnson, 44, an accountant from Dunfermline, said: “This is ridiculous, but it’s
amazing and it’s just brilliant to be here.”

The hazards of the pre-match show

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Flag wars has claimed its first victim. Fifa volunteer Paula Restrepo Jurado, a nurse at a hospital in Boston, broke her hand pulling back the Scottish flag in their win against Haiti.

The giant flags of each side cover the pitch before kick-off, making for a spine-tingling backdrop ahead of kick-off.

But Ms Restrepo Jurado fell as the volunteers ran to remove the flag and broke her hand. Loads of volunteers were falling as the flag was pulled back, she tells me.

Fifa have now changed how the flags are pulled away to try and make the practice safer. She is now sporting a blue cast on her hand and arm.

Meanwhile, Fifa have maintained their strict flag ban on fans draping their own flags on Fifa hoardings. There’s not a Scottish flag in sight right now in the stadium in the 90 minutes before kick-off.

Scotland’s players have arrived

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All on time despite the congestion on the roads, so that is the first hurdle of the evening negotiated.

The Tartan Army on the march

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Bagpipes not an unfamiliar sound for Bostonians, as anyone who has watched The Departed will know, though the instrument played at police funerals in the very Irish city could be Celtic pipes. I fear I’m on shaky ground trying to elucidate the difference.

How far can Scotland go?

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Find out by playing our interactive World Cup predictor. With a result tonight, they will be as good as through to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

When in Rome (or Massachusetts)

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These Scotland fans have decided to wet the whistle via the great American tradition of tailgating; pitching up in a carpark near the venue with plenty of sustenance in tow. Food options a little limited on this occasion, not much chance of fitting a BBQ in your suitcase.

Many US stadiums are out of town affairs, so there is not necessarily the choice of pubs and cafes you find in the vicinity of football grounds in the UK.

Good job they did too, or else we may never have seen this witty T-shirt design: “Donald, Where’s Your Boozers?”

I think they found them without much assistance.

Guardiola could attend

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Pep Guardiola has been spotted in Boston and may well be on his way to the game tonight. The former Manchester City manager has been keeping a low profile since leaving the Premier League. He has been with friends in the lobby of one of Boston’s best hotels. 

Heavy traffic on the way to the game

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The journey to the stadium is frankly a nightmare. Two hours from Boston to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough about 30 miles away and we still haven’t got there yet. Plenty of Scotland fans of course, but tons of Moroccans too.

It’s cloudy, breezy and warm but nothing too hot. About the best conditions Scotland could hope for.

Scotland settle into familiar role as underdogs

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Scotland fans are so close to a first World Cup knockout game they can almost taste it, provided the beer hasn’t excessively dulled the taste buds.

An edgy victory over Haiti means one point from their final two group games should assure them of a place in the round of 32. The fact those fixtures are against Morocco and Brazil makes things much more complicated, with Steve Clarke calling on his team to relish playing the role of underdogs.

Given a point would be precious for Scotland, we could well see a change of system from Clarke for today’s game. He paired Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland up front against Haiti, but Ryan Christie could replace one of those strikers should Clarke choose to flood the midfield and keep things tight.

France and England’s second-half spells of relentless attacking football would run it close, but Morocco’s first 45 minutes against Brazil was one of the best team performances we have seen at the tournament.

The Africa Cup of Nations winners (as things stand) have been cast as potential dark horses, and reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago. Their front-footed, energetic style made Brazil’s midfield look creaky, and there is plenty of technique and poise in possession too.

The most eye-catching performer was Ayyoub Bouaddi, the 18-year--old Lille midfielder who will surely be on his way to one of Europe’s biggest clubs for a princely sum this summer. 

In a quirk of fate, Brazil and Morocco were group-stage opponents the last time Scotland reached the World Cup finals in 1998. Morocco won 3-0, on a miserable night for Scotland when Craig Burley was sent off.