Fans watching in Scotland have been left disappointed after the men’s national team lost 1-0 Morocco in their second World Cup group game.
Supporters packed into venues across the country to watch as Steve Clarke’s side attempted to follow up last week’s win over Haiti, only to fall agonisingly short against the African champions.
Thousands of the Tartan Army faithful gathered at fan zones at the Ovo Hydro arena in Glasgow and the Pitt fan zone in Edinburgh – just two of many large venues and pubs which stayed open late to host watch parties for the game in Boston.
Following a febrile build-up amid chants of “no Scotland, no party”, the fans at the Hydro were stunned into silence when Morocco took the lead in the first couple of minutes.
Spirits rose as Scotland grew into the game towards the end of the second half and there were cheers followed by groans as they came close to an equaliser a number of times in the second period.
There was a muted reaction as the final whistle blew and the thousands of supporters quickly filed out of the hall.
Speaking after the game, Niall Murphy, from Coatbridge, was philosophical about the result.
“It was very tight,” the 32-year-old said.
“If you’d told me two weeks ago that we’d lost 1-0 to Morocco I’d have 100% taken it.
“We definitely should have had a penalty right at the start of the second half, but it is what it is.”
He also said he was optimistic about securing at least a draw against Brazil on Wednesday, which would keep the team’s World Cup dream alive.
“I fancy our chances. Net zero, game three, a lot of the other teams right now are in the same position,” he said.
“I can’t see why we can’t get through.”
Abbie Maughan, 21, had come to the Hydro for the game with a group of friends and said after the match she had been hoping for a draw.
“It was kind of expected, but it was a good vibe,” she said of the defeat.
“It was a pretty brutal back-and-forth, there were some scary moments, and not as good as the game against Haiti.”
“It was still a good watch”.
She said she “cannot imagine” her team beating Brazil on Wednesday – but said “that’s not what Scotland being in the World Cup is about”.
She said: “I feel they’re one of the countries that is like ‘oh we’re kind of just happy to be here’,” – before adding that she is “hopeful” Scotland can turn over the five-time world champions.
Fans had earlier spoken of their optimism ahead of the game.
Julie Boath, 47, from Glasgow said: “I really thought we were going to do it.
“We did really well, we tried really hard.
“We deserved to do better than what we did.”
She said she thought Scotland will have “even more of a chance” in their next game against Brazil.
“I think we’ll win the next game now, because that was a hard one, the next one we’re going to do it.”
Sophie Craik and Josh Barnham were among the fans packed into The Pitt fan zone in Edinburgh to watch the match.
Ms Craik said the World Cup had been “phenomenal” for fans both in the US and back in Scotland.
“It’s such a beautiful moment to see everyone come together, and I think seeing the way that Scotland’s been received in America especially has been beautiful,” she said.
If Scotland do qualify out of the group, she said it should be “public holidays for weeks”.
Mr Barnham added: “A bank holiday week, has that ever been done? It should be.”
David Douglas, 42, who also watched the game at The Pitt, was in downbeat mood afterwards.
“It just feels the same old story,” he said.
“We played defensive from start, going for a 0-0 draw.
“We don’t attack, so when are we going to score a goal?”
Mr Douglas said he did not rate the team’s chances against Brazil.
“With that squad playing, not at all,” he said. “And I know what’s going to happen – we’re going to play for the draw and it’s going to be the same old story.”
Joiner Brad Coleman, 37, said he was also not confident of a securing a result against Brazil.
“But I hope we can do something and prove we’re a better side than we believe we are,” he said.
“It would be history, it would be amazing. It’s hard to think of it right now because we’re used to the disappointment. I hope it still happens, but it’s a big, big game.”
Conor McCourt, a 21-year-old university student, said the Scotland performance was “depressing”.
But he nevertheless held out hope of a shock result in the final group game in Miami on Wednesday.
“I certainly hope so,” he said
“It’s Brazil and they might be one of the best teams in the world, but I feel like Scotland might have the knack to be able to do it. Honestly, I just hope so.”