World Cup: Rules Expert Casts Verdict as Scotland Are Denied Penalty vs Morocco

Writing has always been Josh's way of expressing his deep enthusiasm for sports, and this new path allows him to bring a fresh and honest perspective to his work.

He also gains valuable experience as a volunteer match reporter for the Loughborough Foxes WFC. Covering live events has helped Josh improve his storytelling skills and given him a closer insight into the game. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Scotland's World Cup campaign suffered a setback as they were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in Boston, with Steve Clarke's side struggling to find a way past the Africa Cup of Nations holders.

Ismael Saibari settled the contest inside the opening two minutes, lashing in what proved to be the only goal of the match and leaving Scotland chasing the game from start to finish.

Clarke's men found it difficult to break down a well-organised Moroccan side and rarely threatened in front of goal, with clear-cut chances few and far between.

Scotland will never be a quiet nation when they get to a major tournament.

There was also drama in the box on more than one occasion, with Scottish fans believing they should have been awarded a penalty on more than one occasion. Those moments have since become the main talking point from the match, with the ITV panel left divided on whether Scotland should have had something to show for their efforts.

McTominay drove into the Moroccan box before being tackled from behind by Neil El Aynaoui. VAR ruled that the midfielder had got a touch on the ball, though replays appeared to tell a different story. ITV referee analyst Christina Unkel was adamant a penalty should have been given, as quoted by The Mirror:

“The first thing you’re looking for as VAR is any touch on that ball and the answer is no.

"We saw that second replay there and exactly what I was looking for, there was no contact on that ball. There is a trip up from behind, contact on the left lower leg.

An apology has been made after the incident

"For this, I do think there is a missed incident from the VAR to recommend a penalty as well as the referee to not make a decision on penalty. I know this referee is calling a more physical game but it is a very clear penalty in my opinion."

Fellow pundit Ally McCoist agreed. "I did say when I watched it second time there is a challenge on the left leg. But I did say I'm enjoying the referee allowing the game to go. However, Christina is right, he did get that one wrong."

Not everyone in the studio was convinced, though. Roy Keane felt McTominay went down too easily, saying:

"I don't think it was a penalty. As simple as that. He was kind of looking to go down. I think he was looking to go down. There's a difference."

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Ange Postecoglou backed his fellow pundit's view: "The Moroccan penalty gets his leg out, but I don't think that's enough to be a penalty. He does get across him, but not for a penalty, I think he was going down anyway."

It wasn't the only contentious moment of the match either. Early in the second half, John McGinn went down under a challenge from the same Moroccan defender after breaking into the box, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev again waved play on.

Scotland now face a tough task to reach the knockout stages, with Brazil up next in their final group game on the 24th of June.