Scotland fans were left heartbroken after their triumphant World Cup start came to a juddering halt against Morocco in Boston on Friday.
The Tartan Army was in need of just one point to burnish their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, but had cold water poured on their hopes of overturning a strong Moroccan side when Ismael Saibari scored within the opening two minutes.
After a first-half on the back foot, Scotland grew in confidence in the second-half, and may feel they have been hard done by after missing out on a strong penalty shout.
Looking on both Stateside and at home, supporters cut dejected figures, with fans at an official watch party at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow at times unable to watch as Steve Clarke’s side were unable to find the back of the net.
In Boston Stadium in Foxborough, even an impassioned crowd couldn’t keep the concern off their faces after Morocco scored.
Fans did however continue to create a strong atmosphere inside the stadium for the full 90 minutes, including a poignant minute’s applause on the 76th minute to honour Donny Strathie, a travelling fan who died in Boston just after the Haiti match.
Scotland fans looked a far cry from their upbeat pre-match preparations as Steve Clarke and Co lost to Morocco
Inside Boston Stadium, the Tartan Army were left downcast shortly after Morocco’s opener
Away from New England, at an official watch party in Brooklyn, fans appeared almost disbelieving at times, with the result unlikely to sink in until well after half-time.
Scenes of disappointment from the Tartan Army will come as a surprise to their hosts in Boston, who have been largely charmed by the expressive travellers from the North.
Scores of fans have all but drunk Boston dry, much to the delight of bar owners across Massachusetts, with jubilant scenes in New England and in Scotland after their opening win against Haiti.
‘For perspective, from Thursday to Sunday, the Tartan Army drank four times as much Boston Lager as we run through on a typical four-day holiday stretch like July 4,’ Devon Savage, who owns the company which runs Boston bar Samuel Adams Taproom said.
‘We had to schedule an emergency delivery on Saturday morning. We sold over 3,000 pints of lager over the weekend with our teams picking up 70 empty kegs on Monday.’
Handed a special Bank Holiday to celebrate the victory, Scotland fans partied through the early hours at home, with fans spilling into the streets chanting ‘No Scotland, No Party’.
In the stands, Scotland legends including Sir Rod Stewart were able to celebrate with their countrymen, with Scottish First Minister John Swinney, describing the match as ‘seismic’.
‘This is a seismic moment for Scotland which could pave the way for the squad to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time,’ Swinney said.
‘I am absolutely ecstatic and I know people the length and breadth of Scotland will be jubilant and united in joy at this landmark win.’
Supporters clad in tartan and bearing Saltires also descended on Fenway Park this weekend, filling the stands and corridors with renditions of The Flower of Scotland and ‘Super John McGinn’.
At a watch party in Brooklyn, New York, one fan could scarcely believe what he was seeing
At the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, fans were unable to hide their disappointment with the result
At full-time in Foxborough, supporters in the stands struggled with the disappointing result
On the pitch, Steve Clarke’s players looked similarly affected after failing to secure a point
Scotland now have it all to do against Brazil in a bid to escape their challenging Group C
Home fans at the match between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers called the atmosphere the best they had experienced in years, with 5,000 fans marching from the Evans Way Park to the ground.
On the morning of the Morocco match, another march was staged in Providence, Rhode Island, just 25 miles from the stadium in Foxborough.
There was even some suggestion that the travelling fans may spark a Boston baby boom, with hundreds of local women flooding TikTok with videos suggesting the Tartan Army had ensured their ‘faith in men has been restored’.
Scotland will have one last chance to secure a vital point from their challenging Group C, against Brazil, who were unable to snatch more than a point in their opener against Morocco.
Brazil are the heavy favourites to beat Haiti in the match which follows Scotland’s defeat, and will look to play themselves into stronger form – but without the help of superstar Neymar Jnr, who remains unavailable as he recovers from a calf injury.
But regardless of their final match, Scotland could yet qualify as one of the strongest third-placed teams, due to having won their opener.
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