Scotland boss Steve Clarke was in no mood to talk about his side’s faint World Cup knockout hopes following a 3-0 loss to Brazil.
Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha’s goals for the five-time world champions delivered what may prove to be the fatal blow for Scotland’s aspirations of progressing to the round of 32.
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The loss left Scotland sitting third in Group C on three points but with a goal difference of -3.
It leaves them facing an anxious wait for every nation to complete the group stage to find out whether they will be among the eight best third-placed teams to progress. The group stage concludes on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Why did Clarke walk away during his interview?
In a televised post-match interview, Clarke did not want to discuss the fact his side may have to hang around and see if their World Cup journey is indeed over or not.
When asked by a reporter about how Scotland will have to play a waiting game, Clarke abruptly replied: “I don’t even think about that. Sorry, I don’t even think about that.”
Clarke then walked away from the interview.
The Scotland boss didn’t exactly change his tune later on.
Asked by the press if he felt Scotland were headed for an early exit, Clarke replied: “Yeah, for sure. I think we’re going home.”
What made Clarke’s frustration all the more palpable was that each of Brazil’s goals were very much cases of Scotland shooting themselves in the foot.
Clarke: Scotland gave Brazil ‘the game they wanted’
Scott McKenna, who was drafted into the starting line-up in place of Grant Hanley, was caught on the ball by Bournemouth forward Rayan and quickly lead to Vini Jr’s opener inside seven minutes.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn then had a small role to play in the Real Madrid superstar’s second, as he completely flapped at a cross from the right, allowing Vini Jr to head into an empty net.
Brazil’s third came after Kenny McClean was hustled off the ball by Bruno Guimaraes, who then laid the ball onto Cunha as he fired home with a composed strike.
“We made it difficult for ourselves. That’s it,” Clarke said.
The Scotland boss added: “We gave them the goals. We gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.”
Have Scotland ever reached the knockout stage at a World Cup?
Should results elsewhere fall their way, it would be the first time in World Cup history Scotland has reached the knockout stage.
Prior to this year’s tournament, the Scots had been sent packing at the first hurdle on all eight occasions.
The round of 32 begins on Sunday at 8pm and wraps on July 4.
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