Scotland striker Che Adams believes Morocco were genuinely frightened of his side by the closing stages of their tense World Cup Group C encounter.
Steve Clarke’s men fell to a 1-0 defeat in Boston, with Ismael Saibari’s stunning early strike proving to be the decisive moment in the match.
Despite the defeat, Scotland dominated large portions of the second half, pinning the African champions back for sustained spells in the stifling American heat.
Clarke’s side also felt aggrieved after what they considered two legitimate penalty claims were waved away by the referee during the contest.
Adams is adamant the result could have been different and insists the second-half performance gives Scotland real belief heading into their final group game against Brazil.
Adams said: “Look, we’re a good team. We showed that towards the end of the Morocco game because they were worried. They were scared and we could definitely have nicked something.”
The Torino frontman added: “So now we must dust ourselves down, keep that confidence and keep believing going into the Brazil game. We were unlucky on Friday night and the early goal killed us.”
Adams acknowledged that conceding so early made life extremely difficult, but praised the way his teammates refused to capitulate under the pressure of going behind.
He said: “Our confidence could have gone after losing a goal like that. We could have taken two or three. So we showed brilliant character and belief.”
Scotland are chasing a place in the knockout stage of a World Cup for the very first time in the nation’s football history, making Wednesday’s game a monumental occasion.
Even a narrow defeat to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side could potentially be enough for Scotland to squeeze through, depending on other results in the group.
Adams was deployed as a lone striker against Morocco, a more demanding role than the one he played alongside Lawrence Shankland in the opening win over Haiti.
Operating as the sole frontman in searing American conditions is no easy task, but Adams said he is willing to do whatever Clarke demands for the good of the team.
He said: “If the gaffer’s putting me up there on my own, I’ve just got to do a shift for the team. But it’s difficult on your own, especially with the confidence and the kind of calmness Morocco had in midfield and around the back.”
Adams, 29, has been Clarke’s first-choice striker since joining the Scotland squad in 2021 and has continued to develop his game during a season in Serie A with Torino.
He said: “I’m learning out there and I feel like I’m growing as a person and as a player. It’s been really good. There’s a lot of our boys out there now playing in Serie A and I’m happy to be one of them.”
Adams believes exposure to Italian football’s tactical discipline has also benefited the wider Scotland squad as they look to make history in the United States.
He said: “We’ve got ourselves in a great position now. We just have to keep believing and keep grinding out the games.”
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