From the worst imaginable start, things didn’t take the turn many Scotland fans would have feared they might.
The script – tightening up the left flank and asking Tierney to follow Hakimi around like a dog – was ripped apart before many punters had taken their seats.
Against Brazil, Morocco displayed not only their class but their tendency to start strongly. Scotland were well aware of the threat, they just couldn’t contain it.
But once their shape solidified and they settled, Clarke’s side managed to stifle their opponents somewhat.
Sure, they still rode their luck and collective gulps were taken a number of times as the African champions moved the ball about with ease and searched for a second, but there wasn’t a capitulation of any kind.
Instead, there was control and aggression as the game grew on, opening the door to the optimism once more.
The introduction of the electric and energetic Ben Gannon-Doak was vital, with a natural winger willing and keen to test a tiring Moroccan backline.
The decision to start Tierney can be understood, but perhaps the lively Bournemouth wide man would have offered an earlier outball.
A confusing end, where few knew if the final whistle had peeped, saw the boys in dark blue scattered around with their hands on their heads and knees.
They gave it a real go after a nightmarish start. Something to take to Miami…
