👀 Napoli fans were among those watching closely — and Scott McTominay’s display has sparked a huge debate.
Scotland suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Morocco in their second World Cup group match, but much of the post-match discussion has centred around Scott McTominay.
The Napoli midfielder was once again one of Scotland’s most influential players, but fans have been left divided over whether he delivered when his country needed him most.
The criticism
Not everyone was impressed.
Some supporters accused McTominay of spending too much time arguing with officials rather than influencing the game.
One fan wrote: “He was atrocious. Spent more time on his arse complaining for fouls he obviously wasn’t getting.”
Another added: “McTominay didn’t show up for much of the game. I’m starting to think he might be believing his own hype.”
The defence
Others strongly disagreed.
The Daily Mail described McTominay as “once again Scotland’s best player by a distance” and praised his physical presence throughout the match.
BBC Sport statistics also painted a more positive picture.
McTominay completed 89% of his passes — the third-highest figure among Scotland’s starters — and covered more ground than every player on the pitch except Lewis Ferguson.
The heated moment
There was also a flashpoint during the hydration break that viewers did not fully see.
McTominay appeared involved in a heated exchange with teammate Jack Hendry before Kenny McLean stepped in to calm the situation.
The incident highlighted the frustration running through the Scotland camp as Morocco took control of the game.
The penalty controversy
McTominay was also at the centre of the match’s biggest talking point.
In the closing stages, he burst into the penalty area before going down under a challenge from Neil El Aynaoui.
Referee Ilgiz Tantashev waved play on and VAR chose not to intervene.
ITV refereeing expert Christina Unkel later said: “This is a very clear penalty.”
The decision has only added to the debate surrounding McTominay’s performance.
What’s next?
Scotland now face a must-win clash against Brazil if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.
With the pressure at its highest, Steve Clarke will once again look to McTominay to lead the team when it matters most.
The Bottom Line
A controversial penalty claim. A heated exchange. A performance that has divided fans.
One thing is certain — Scotland’s World Cup fate now rests heavily on Scott McTominay.
