Scotland vs Morocco: VAR controversy can’t hide Scotland’s deeper World Cup problem
Scotland have some right to feel unlucky, but they didn’t do enough to get anything from the Morocco game
When the final whistle went on Friday night in the Boston Stadium, Scotland fans might quite justifiably have felt aggrieved and frustrated at what might have been against Morocco. That sense of injustice, however, would have been blended with the dull, familiar feeling that Scotland once again had failed give a proper account of themselves in a tournament game.
Those old enough to have endured the dry period from 1998 to 2021 are old and wise enough not to take tournament qualification for granted. Scotland playing in these major events is absolutely a victory in itself; however, it is a deflating anti-climax to witness your team go out without threatening to make a mark on the tournament.
Now at a third tournament in five years, it shouldn’t be too much to expect Scotland to be more competitive and positive, especially in this expanded World Cup format. No one is expecting Scotland go to deep into the knockout rounds, but to consistently play below the standards the team is capable of and go down without laying a glove on their opponents is a worrying trend now.
Across six games at Euro 2020 and 2024, Steve Clarke’s Scotland amassed a total of just two points and three goals. The highlight was probably the 0-0 with England at Wembley at Euro 2020, a fair reflection of a game in which Scotland played some good football in spells, largely thanks to the technically-gifted midfield pairing of Billy Gilmour and Callum McGregor.
Missing midfield duo
Neither Gilmour (injured) nor McGregor (retired from international football) are part of the Scotland squad at the 2026 World Cup. At times during the Morocco game their absence was painfully apparent in a team that struggled to put their foot on the ball and play with any poise or composure.
On more than one occasion, Scotland tried to break against Morocco with players trundling the ball forward in a pack like a group of school kids. At a World Cup where fellow minnows have caused upsets and looked dangerous when counter attacking, it is disheartening to see Scotland not sure what to do with the ball and end the game without a single shot on target.
There are talent issues, but also organisational ones and it was apparent that Clarke set Scotland up on Friday with the aim of not losing with little thought given to getting the ball near the opposition goal. The shape was a narrow 4-1-4-1 with Kieran Tierney on the left of midfield to help Andrew Robertson deal with Brahim Diaz and Achraf Hakimi.
A flawed plan
To a certain extent, the plan worked, except for the fact it came undone inside the first couple of minutes. A rash error of judgement from Grant Hanley allowed Ismael Saibiri in behind the Scottish backline and, to his credit, the PSV striker finished emphatically from a difficult angle.
Otherwise, the game went according to plan: aside from the goal, Morocco had just one shot on target and mustered an xG of just 0.86 if we take that early strike (0.13 xG) out of the equation. In other words, Scotland did frustrate and limit Morocco and the game could easily have finished 0-0 on another day.
There are two obvious issues, here, however. Firstly, context is everything: the opening goal changed the game state and Morocco didn’t have to force the issue thereafter, especially given the clear lack of threat from Scotland, and they strolled to an unexciting win.
Secondly, it is precisely that inability to cause any danger at the other end that made 0-0 the best result Scotland could have possibly hoped for, and it was snatched away in the opening scenes, with some viewers no doubt still settling into their seats. The inherent risk of playing for a 0-0 was laid bare in the bluntest fashion imaginable.
Clarke and Scotland were unable to react, unable to change the plan and unable to test Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal. It is painfully simplistic, but if you don’t create any meaningful chances, you can’t expect to come away with anything when the full-time whistle sounds.
VAR going AWOL didn’t do Scotland any favours
It is true, of course, that things could have been different had certain decisions gone Scotland’s way. A couple of penalties and playing against 10 men for over 70 minutes could have been transformative in terms of the outcome of the game.
When Issa Diop was booked for hauling down Che Adams in the 22nd minute, there is a compelling case that he was the last man and denying the Torino striker a clear goalscoring opportunity. The counter argument is that perhaps Adams wouldn’t have reached the ball before the goalkeeper.
Then, in the second half Scotland had two serious claims for a penalty waved away by the referee. The first and most obvious case was when John McGinn was felled in the box in the 49th minute, with replays showing clear contact from Neil El Aynaoui as he cut across the Aston Villa midfielder’s path.
Later, in the 82nd minute, Scott McTominay went down in the box after El Aynaoui, again, appeared to clip him from behind. Once more, wide-eyed Scottish protests were waved away.
No luck for the Scots
Part of football’s twisted charm is that the rules of the game leave scope for subjectivity, while its fast-paced nature makes accurate calls difficult to guarantee. It is accepted that some decisions will go your way and others won’t.
What is remarkable about Friday night, however, is that on three major calls, the VAR team did not once send the referee to the screen. One can go either way, two is unfortunate but it is tremendously unlucky for Scotland that not one of these three decisions was even deemed worthy of further consideration by the officials.
While the McGinn incident looks like quite a clear penalty, the other two are more debatable. But to end up on the wrong side of three debatable decisions is demoralising – the challenge for Scotland is to ignore those thoughts and focus on preparing for the toughest test of all: Brazil, a rematch of the opening game at the 1998 World Cup, which the South Americans won 3-1.
No VAR and no creativity but Scotland could still progress
While VAR was conspicuous by its absence, Scotland also let themselves down with a blunt attacking display and a lack of composure and creativity in possession. The silver lining is that the narrow margin of defeat could turn out to be the key to Scotland progressing to the round of 32, with the latest qualification scenarios and World Cup outright markets still suggesting the group remains finely balanced.
There could yet be an ironic vindication in the apparent negativity of Clarke’s system if that is the case. On the other hand, only managing one goal against Haiti could also come back to haunt them.
Scotland do already have three points in the bag and a long-sought-after tournament win thanks to that 1-0 victory over Haiti. The performance in that game was similarly uninspiring, however, and while the deflected nature of McGinn’s goal didn’t dampen the Tartan Army’s celebrations, they will be hoping that either against Brazil or in a possible fourth match, Scotland can make the world sit up and take notice for their skill on the pitch as much as for their spirit off it.
While the Tartan Army are rightly grateful for being at the party, there is nothing wrong with having a hint of ambition and reasonable expectations in terms of performances. Scotland have established themselves as a major tournament team once again, which is a serious achievement, but can Clarke navigate the route to something more than simply turning up?
