It doesn’t exactly require painstaking research to establish Scotland’s main shortcoming in the two games to date.
Against Haiti, Steve Clarke’s men managed nine shots, with just two on target, and scored one deflected goal.
When Morocco next came into view, they had the sum total of six attempts. None of them were accurate enough to trouble the goalkeeper.
It goes without saying that if that pattern continues against Brazil tonight, the chances of witnessing one of the greatest results in history of the national team will be somewhere between slim and zero.
For Andy Robertson, there’s a deeply personal aspect to this. In order for Scotland to score, working Alisson Becker, his former Liverpool team-mate, is non-negotiable.
Andy Robertson says Brazil’s Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in the world
‘He’s the best keeper in the world,’ said the Scotland skipper.
‘I’ve been very lucky to play with Ali for the last eight years.
‘In big moments, he was always there for us. Even when our defence was at its best, sometimes the other team would get through.
‘But we could always rely on Ali to go and make the saves.
‘He’s an unbelievable goalkeeper and even better person. He’s someone I admire so much, him and his family.
‘I’m lucky to be close to them because they’re fantastic people. But I really hope he’s picking the ball out of his net a couple of times on Wednesday – more than I’m used to!
‘I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and as a man. But let’s hope against us he doesn’t keep a clean sheet.
‘We have to believe we can score against Brazil. If we don’t, there’s no point showing up. That’s our aim. If we can do that hopefully it can be a big night for our country.’
Scotland haven’t beaten Brazil in 10 attempts stretching back to 1966 with four of those coming at the World Cup.
While a narrow defeat is still likely to see Steve Clarke’s men progress at one of the eight best third-placed nations, Robertson is adamant the squad are only interested in achieving the positive result which would create history.
‘We’re playing against a massive country, the most iconic in World Cup, obviously most decorated,’ he added. ‘But it also gives us an opportunity to achieve our dreams. We want to achieve history for our little country.
Captain Andy Robertson hopes Scotland can surprise Brazil in Miami
‘And then we have an opportunity to do that against Brazil. When it comes to the game, you know we are in control of our own destiny at the minute.
‘What we know is if we get a result, then you know they’ll be one hundred per cent through. So, we have to focus on that.’
While Aaron Hickey isn’t available through injury, Robertson, Kenny McLean and Findlay Curtis will be walking disciplinary tightropes in the Miami Stadium after also picking up bookings across the first two matches.
Despite knowing that any of them could be suspended for the last 32 if they are cautioned again, Robertson insisted: “You have to play the game, that’s part of football.
“You can’t start worrying about suspensions or anything that goes along with that.
‘There’s a few of us on bookings and it will be the same through the whole tournament going into the last game.
‘The players all have to be 100 per cent and I certainly will be – whether I’m on a booking or not.’
