Wrexham defender Dom Hyam remained on the bench as Scotland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in Boston on Friday night, leaving Steve Clarke’s side with work to do ahead of their final World Cup Group C fixture against Brazil.
Scotland entered the match on the back of a hard-earned victory over Haiti. Clarke opted for continuity and selected the same defensive unit that had helped secure three points in the opening game.
That decision meant Dom Hyam again had to settle for a place among the substitutes. With Scotland now facing a decisive final group match, questions naturally follow about whether the Wrexham defender could have played a part.
The answer is not entirely straightforward.
Scotland paid for an early mistake against Morocco
Morocco struck inside the opening two minutes through Ismael Saibari but Scotland did respond positively. They finished with more possession and remained competitive throughout the evening. Steve Clarke’s side also felt they should have been awarded a late penalty as they pushed for an equaliser.
The result was disappointing, but it would be unfair to suggest Scotland were outclassed. Morocco took their chance early and defended their advantage well.
After the match, Clarke said:
“We want to win the game and if we don’t win the game, we don’t want to lose it.”
The Scotland manager’s frustration was understandable given how narrow the margins proved to be.
Was Clarke right to leave Hyam out?
From a Wrexham AFC perspective, supporters would naturally have liked to see Hyam involved.
The defender arrives at the tournament following an impressive season and has developed a reputation as one of the Championship’s most dependable centre-backs. His positioning, aerial ability and composure make him a strong option at international level.
However, Clarke’s thinking was logical.
Scotland had beaten Haiti in their opening fixture and there was little indication beforehand that major changes were required. BBC Sport noted before the Morocco match that Clarke was expected to keep faith with the same defensive structure.
When viewed through that lens, leaving Hyam out was understandable. Scotland conceded just once and the defeat owed more to an early lapse and missed opportunities than any defensive collapse.
That does not mean Hyam’s case disappears.
Tournament football often demands fresh solutions. The Wrexham defender offers experience, physicality and calm decision-making, qualities that become increasingly valuable when the pressure rises.
Brazil could bring a different decision
Scotland’s qualification hopes remain alive despite the setback.
A win over Brazil would guarantee progress to the knockout stage. A draw could also prove enough depending on results elsewhere and the ranking of third-placed teams.
Defeat would leave Scotland relying on other outcomes across the competition.
Brazil present a significantly different challenge. They sit top of Group C and possess greater attacking depth than either Haiti or Morocco.
That reality could strengthen Hyam’s chances of involvement. Clarke may again trust continuity, but the Wrexham defender remains an experienced option if Scotland seek greater defensive security.
The final decision rests with the Scotland manager. What is certain is that Scotland’s margin for error has disappeared.
Scotland’s World Cup campaign is still alive and World Cup football often turns on fine details. Hyam has had to wait patiently so far, but the biggest match of the group stage may yet provide his opportunity.
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