The Tartan Army held its collective breath as Morocco struck with lightning speed in their World Cup warm-up match in Massachusetts - Ismael Saibari scoring just 70 seconds into the game, sending shockwaves through Hampden Park via satellite. It was a blow that left Clarke's men and the travelling fans momentarily stunned, but this narrow defeat could prove a blessing in disguise for Scotland.
By avoiding an embarrassing thrashing against a team of Morocco's calibre, Steve Clarke's squad may have unwittingly set themselves up for success. Now, they'll need to draw on every last scrap of energy and grit when they face the might of Brazil - but make no mistake, this result has kept Scotland's World Cup dreams very much alive.
Clarke made a bold tactical call pre-match, opting for Kieran Tierney on the left of midfield rather than the anticipated defensive line. But it was a switch that backfired spectacularly when Saibari capitalised on Braham Díaz's lofted pass to leave Grant Hanley and Angus Gunn for dead - the ball thudding high into the net like a sledgehammer.
Morocco continued to pile on the pressure, Scotland looking decidedly jittery as they struggled to keep possession. They were thankful for some wayward finishing from the North Africans, but it was only when John McGinn's penalty appeal was waved away that Clarke's men really started to believe they could get back into this one.
And then came the 60th-minute injury blow - Kieran Tierney forced off, replaced by Ben Gannon-Doak in a move that seemed both defensive and forward-thinking. But despite a late flurry from Ryan Christie, Scotland couldn't conjure up the clear-cut chances they so desperately needed. In the end, it was simply not their day.