Moroccan marvel ends in tears

It was always going to be an uphill battle after that and when mid-fielder Craig Burley was sent off in the 54th minute for a tackle from behind, their chance of a comeback had gone.

The first goal came from a long ball which caught the Scotland defence flat-footed and striker Bassir lashed home a left-foot shot.

Scotland tried to respond with striker Gordon Durie probing both down the left and through the middle but to no avail.

Morocco’s keeper Driss Benzekri looked less than secure on crosses and Scotland tried to get the ball down the flanks so they could swing it into the goal area.

The Scots did pressure the Moroccans in the run-up to half-time with Kevin Gallacher going closewith a header, but they could not get back on level terms.

Then just two minutes into the second half Morocco’s Abdeljalil Hadda broke down the left flank outpacing David Weir and drove in a high shot.

Scotland keeper Leighton got both his hands to the ball but failed to stop it looping over his head and across the line.

Morocco’s fans behind Leighton’s goal went into a dance of delight, which turned to tears after the whistle when they learned Norway had beaten Brazil and robbed them of a place in the second round.

Bassir added a third goal in the 84th minute when he tricked his way past two Scottish defenders.