Scotland face Morocco with the knockout rounds in reach

Morocco, Friday night, and everything on the line

Scotland play Morocco in the second Group C match Friday, and it is simple: a win sends you through (1). Steve Clarke's side go in off the back of that nervy 1–0 over Haiti in Boston. Morocco drew 1–1 with Brazil in their opener and looked sharp doing it (1). The BBC have flagged Saibari and Bouaddi as the danger men, Morocco's midfield ran Brazil ragged at times (1). This is not a match where Scotland can afford to sit deep and hope.

McTominay's mural and the road back

A 36-foot mural of Scott McTominay now towers near Hampden Park, celebrating his overhead kick for Scotland. John Percy at the Telegraph writes that McTominay has put the "dark days at Old Trafford" behind him and become the heartbeat of this side. Clarke's line: McTominay would still be at United if he had received the same backing and support there. The man himself looks ready for another big night.

Fan-reaktioner

The Tartan Army are still riding the Boston wave, thousands turned Fenway Park into a Scottish Heritage Night and the "Loch Lomond" videos have not stopped circulating. Ahead of the Morocco match, the mood is tense optimism: nobody is ignoring how shaky the Haiti performance was, but the McTominay mural story has reminded everyone what this team can produce on the big occasion. The World Cup Day 9 discussion thread is alive with predictions.