Scotland face the biggest test in their modern football history when they take on Morocco in Boston, with Steve Clarke’s side needing a result to reach the knockout stages.
Last weekend’s victory over Haiti may have sparked wild celebrations across the city, but the players and management know the real challenge now begins in earnest.
The Tartan Army has transformed Boston into a sea of blue and white, charming locals and boosting businesses across the city with their good-natured presence and considerable spending power.
A draw against Morocco would almost certainly send Scotland into the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history, an achievement that would transcend generations of hurt and disappointment.
Even a narrow defeat could be enough, given the way the permutations are shaping up for the best third-placed qualifiers, meaning Scotland retain genuine hope across multiple outcomes.
Morocco, ranked sixth in the world, represent a ferociously different challenge to Haiti, and Scotland cannot rely on the kind of fortunate moments that helped them over the line last week.
Against Brazil on Saturday, Morocco were outstanding in the opening stages, registering 12 shots on goal in the first 30 minutes and thoroughly bossing one of football’s great powerhouses.
Ismael Saibari’s lobbed finish was the standout moment, with Brahim Diaz’s pass slipping between Arsenal’s Gabriel and Marquinhos before beating Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson in stunning fashion.
Eighteen-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi was so impressive that Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to hook Casemiro at half-time, the teenager making the experienced midfielder look completely out of his depth.
Bouaddi, who carries a current price tag of £61m and plays for Lille, made his Conference League debut at 16 as the youngest player ever to feature in a UEFA club competition.
Achraf Hakimi remains the heartbeat of the Moroccan team, one of the finest right-backs in world football and an explosive force going forward with the ability to unlock any defence.
Morocco have not lost a competitive match in two and a half years, and despite their attacking talent, opponents tend to find it difficult to score against them regularly.
The Scotland performance against Haiti was described by the players themselves as beneath their capabilities, with key figures Scott McTominay and John McGinn both failing to hit their usual heights.
McTominay ranked sixth among all players for kilometres covered after the Haiti match, showing his commitment, but his influence on the game itself was not at the level Scotland require.
McGinn scored but did not impose himself on the contest in the way that Clarke’s side will desperately need against a Morocco team bristling with pace, creativity and genuine world-class quality.
Clarke is expected to drop a striker and introduce an extra midfielder to help cope with Morocco’s energy, maintaining defensive organisation while preserving Scotland’s capacity to hurt them on the counter.
This Scotland squad has consistently risen to pressure throughout qualification and knows exactly what is at stake, with manager and players having been open about their historic ambitions from the very beginning.
The jeopardy is enormous, the stakes are the highest this nation has ever faced, but everything about this group of players suggests they will not be going quietly into a Boston night.
