Christina Unkel was at the heart of Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco after two penalty appeals were turned down. John McGinn and Scott McTominay both had claims waved away, and Roy Keane said the McTominay appeal was not a penalty.
Ismail Saibari scored after 70 seconds in Foxborough. Scotland then spent the rest of the match chasing an equaliser while the disputed calls became the focus after the final whistle.
Roy Keane backs the call
Keane was blunt on ITV. “I don't think it's a penalty, he's looking to go down.” He added: “It's a physical game.”
He also said: “The referee let a lot go in the game, players were going down which would normally be a free-kick.” His view was that “the referee had that attitude throughout the game especially in the box.”
That reading matched the way the referee, Ilgiz Tantashev, handled the opening stages. Scotland were not getting much change from contact decisions, and the box was no exception.
McGinn, McTominay and VAR
John McGinn appealed for a penalty after being brought down by Neil El Aynaoui after the restart. Later, Scott McTominay went down under another challenge from El Aynaoui and Scotland’s appeals were turned down again.
Steve Clarke called the McGinn incident “50-50” and said, “Sometimes VAR will get involved.” He also said the Che Adams incident was “50-50” and added: “Again, the VAR chooses yellow and backs the referee.”
Kris Boyd was clearer on the split decision. “For me, the McTominay one wasn't a penalty.” He added: “The one on John McGinn I've seen given.” Ryan Christie was on the same side as McGinn, saying: “I thought it could definitely be given.”
Scotland and Group C
Lewis Ferguson said: “The first thing I thought was foul.” He added: “I don't know why John or Scott would go down in the box if it wasn't a foul.”
Scotland had just over a 70 per cent chance of reaching the last 32 before the game, according to Opta's Supercomputer predictions. The defeat leaves their path tied to Brazil, with a win sending Scotland through and a draw leaving them at least third in Group C and hugely likely to advance as one of the eight best-placed sides.
If Scotland lose to Brazil, they finish third in Group C, and goal difference may decide how far the damage reaches. That is the margin now hanging over two penalty calls that never changed the scoreline.
