Scotland star ‘baffled’ by ‘negative’ criticism of World Cup performances
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson admitted he was “baffled” by the reaction the Tartan Army’s opening World Cup win over Haiti after defeat to Morocco left their hopes of reaching the last-32 in the balance.
Steve Clarke’s side could have progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a point against Morocco but were unable to recover from Ismael Saibari’s strike after just 70 seconds in Boston.
While Scotland fans celebrated through the night after beating Haiti – for their first World Cup win in 36 years – there was some concern afterwards about the manner of the performance with clashes against Morocco and Brazil to come.
Jamie Braidwood20 June 2026 04:00
Scotland face sobering reality after 70 seconds of World Cup regret
After Scotland’s joy and optimism from a party that spilt onto the streets of Boston over the last week, Morocco delivered a sobering reality check in just 70 seconds to leave World Cup history still agonisingly out of reach.
This feel-good story has seen 20,000 Scots descend on Massachusetts, daring to dream of a first ever knockout tie. Those hopes remain intact, however, with three points from two engrossing contests and now a goal difference of zero, but this passionate finale may yet leave regrets about a lack of ambition, or rather composure, from a regrettable start and selections from Steve Clarke bound to fuel debate long into the Boston night.
Jack Rathborn at the Boston Stadium20 June 2026 02:59
“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.
On the penalty shouts, he says: “I 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.”
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 02:29
Pundits split over Scott McTominay penalty decision after Scotland lose to Morocco
Scotland were enraged not to receive a late penalty in their World Cup defeat to Morocco though pundits could not agree on whether the decision was a correct one.
In the 82nd minute, Scott McTominay went down under the challenge of Neil El Aynaoui, who stuck out a leg and tripped up the Scot as he carried the ball into the box, with Morocco leading 1-0.
Replays showed that the Morocco midfielder did not make contact with the ball and only nicked the man, with ITV’s referee specialist Christina Unkel admitting that she thought the initial decision was incorrect, though not to a degree where VAR would overturn it and award a penalty.
It was the third Scotland penalty appeal of the game but by far the most vocal one, with McTominay continually pleading with referee Igliz Tantashev as play moved down the other end.
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 02:08
“We can talk about the team shape, being hard to break down. When you’re a goal down after 70 seconds, it’s down to your mindset. Where’s your belief? Where’s your confidence?
“It has to come from the manager, the staff and the senior players. Scotland are almost waiting for something to happen.
“We all agree Brazil aren’t that brilliant but they’ll be more than good enough to beat Scotland if they play like that.”
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:50
“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 us winning against Haiti in the first game, and it’s baffled me to be honest, because it’s so, so difficult, every team is of a top level.
“Delighted with the response, but gutted about the result. I think, you know, the performance probably deserves a point.”
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:39
“I think we’re the worst possible start. We never wanted to start like that. We didn’t touch the ball, to be honest, and we gave away such a slack goal. It was really unlike us.
“But I thought the reaction after that defensively really sound, and we just grew out of the game. Even in the first half, I felt we were probably beginning to grow towards the end, half-time probably came at a bad time for us. But we were growing in the game, we were starting to feel really comfortable, and we spoke about that at halftime.”
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:32
Morocco top the group currently with four points, with Scotland just behind them on three.
Brazil and Haiti kick off in just a few minutes time, with the Selecao third on one point from one game played and Haiti on nil points after losing to Scotland on matchday one.
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:25
Should Scotland have had a penalty?
Here’s what ITV’s refereeing expert Christina Unkel had to say: “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.”
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:20
Should Scotland have had a penalty?
The pertinent challenge was by El Aynaoui on McTominay, waved away by referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
(Reuters)
Flo Clifford20 June 2026 01:14