Penalty controversy as Scotland punished by early Morocco strike

Scotland were denied at least one penalty as hopes of creating history at the World Cup suffered a blow against Morocco.

Steve Clarke's side knew victory would guarantee a place in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time, but they were rocked after just 70 seconds.

Grant Hanley was caught out and Ismael Saibari took advantage with a clinical strike fired into the top corner. He almost made it two as the Scots struggled to find their composure in the Boston Stadium.

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John McGinn appealed for a penalty not long after the restart after being brought down by Neil El Aynaoui, but it was deemed a fair challenge.

Scotland should have been level just after the hour, but Ryan Christie blazed the ball over the crossbar after a brilliant set up from Scott McTominay.

There was more penalty controversy when the Napoli midfielder went down under another dubious challenge from El Aynaou. But, again, the appeals were waved away.

"I don't think it's a penalty," Roy Keane said on ITV. "I think he's looking to go down."

McTominay and Lyndon Dykes went close late on, but Scotland ended the match with no shots on target.

They need to take something against Brazil on June 24 to have any chance of progression.

More to follow...

The key moments from Boston...

• 2: GOAL! Brilliant finish from Saibari gives Morocco the lead

• 10: CLOSE! Saibari inches away from tapping home for two.

• 35: BIG CHANCE! Saibari releases El Khannouss into the box, but it's a wild finish off target.

• 45+1: FIRST CHANCE SCOTLAND! Patterson's ball misses everyone and McGinn meets it on the volley but sends it high and wide.

• 49: PENALTY? McGinn brought down by El Aynaoui. The referee deems it a fair challenge.

• 64: CHANCE! Christie has space to strike from 20 yards but fires over.

• 82: PENALTY? McTominay brought down by El Aynaoiu, but penalty appeals waved away.

• 85: CHANCE! McTominay and Dykes go close.

• 88: CHANCE! McGinn gets a shot away but Riad is there to make a great challenge.

What the result means...

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