Scotland started with a narrow 1-0 win over Haiti, thanks to a goal from John McGinn, and currently leads Group C with three points. This is Steve Clarke's side's first World Cup appearance in 28 years, and a second success could practically guarantee a spot in the knockout stages. Morocco, on the other hand, made a splash by drawing 1-1 with five-time world champions Brazil. The Satin Lions are the bookmakers' favorites, but Scotland will be playing defensively, relying on discipline and set pieces.
The Scots have a tough schedule, but they've proven they can take a beating—their first World Cup victory since 1990. Haiti, however, has given them plenty of trouble, and Morocco is a completely different level of opponent. Morocco is unbeaten in 29 matches (including their forfeit to Senegal in the final) and boasts a stellar squad led by Achraf Hakimi. Their only head-to-head meeting in 1998 ended in a 3-0 rout of Scotland, and this historic advantage gives the North Africans confidence.
Scotland has been extremely low-scoring in recent matches: fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored in seven of their last eight games, and both teams have kept scoreless in 10 of their 12 encounters. Morocco, meanwhile, is renowned for its pragmatic play and keeps clean sheets in 60% of its away matches. Given that Scotland will be extremely defensive, and Morocco only needs a draw to secure a comfortable position in the group, the match is likely to be a tight affair with minimal goals and a lot of fighting in the midfield.
