Scotland’s chances of a World Cup knockout place have grown significantly more unlikely with the latest results in North America.
In Group D, Paraguay’s stalemate with Australia moved them onto four points, instantly pushing them above Steve Clarke’s side in the third-place rankings.
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Meanwhile, Ecuador delivered a monumental blow in Group E, stunning Germany to also finish on four points and comfortably book their spot in the last 32, where they will face England as things stand.
To compound the misery, Sweden fought out a 1-1 draw with Japan in Group F, ensuring a third consecutive group delivered a team in third place with four points.
All this comes after a disastrous 1-0 victory for South Africa over South Korea in Group A on Wednesday.
So Sweden, Ecuador, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Paraguay have all finished third with four points, while South Korea are also guaranteed to finish above the Scots in the third-place table on goal difference.
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Third place table – as things stand
Of the six World Cup groups to have concluded, Scotland are the lowest-ranked third-place team.
Attention now turns to the final fixtures in Groups G through L, where the Scots desperately need four of the remaining six third-placed teams to finish with fewer than three points, or with a worse goal difference, to breathe life back into their qualification bid.
How can Scotland still go through?
A draw for Belgium against New Zealand would send them above Scotland, while the All Whites would need a win.
Even if Belgium lose to New Zealand, Iran can also go above Scotland with a draw against Egypt – meaning the Scots realistically need both Belgium and Iran to lose in Group G.
Cape Verde only need a draw against Saudi Arabia to climb above Scotland. If Cape Verde get a result, Scotland would need Uruguay to lose or draw against Spain. If Uruguay win, the third place team in Group H finishes above Scotland no matter what.
Victories for Senegal against Iraq in Group I and DR Congo against Uzbekistan in Group K would send those nations above Scotland.
| Nation | Games played | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Points |
| Sweden | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| Ecuador | 3 | 2 | 2 | -0 | 4 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| Paraguay | 3 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| Croatia | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| South Korea | 3 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| Algeria | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Scotland | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| Cape Verde | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Belgium | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Senegal | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 0 |
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In a possible lifeline for the Scots, Algeria, Austria and Croatia could still fall below them with a heavy defeat.
Algeria and Austria face each other in Group J, with a draw good enough for Algeria to finish above Scotland in the third-place table, while Croatia take on Ghana in Group L.
In short, they’re not out yet, but the Scots require a near-miraculous string of results elsewhere to avoid elimination.
World Cup woes
The Tartan Army had been hoping to see their side reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever this summer.
This year’s World Cup marks their first appearance at the finals for 28 years.
Each of their eight previous campaigns have ended in the group stage.
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Meanwhile, Scotland have suffered the same fate on their four appearances at the Euros.
They had appeared to have made the perfect start on their quest for the round of 32 in North America, though.
Scotland began life in group C with a 1-0 win over Haiti thanks to John McGinn’s deflected effort.
However, they were beaten by the same scoreline in their second match against Morocco.
As a result, Scotland needed a point against Brazil on Wednesday to assure themselves of a spot in the last 32.
Instead, Clarke’s side slumped to a 3-0 defeat in Miami to take their destiny out of their own hands.
Alan Brazil’s verdict
Former forward Alan Brazil has dismissed any chance of Scotland reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The legendary eSPORTY presenter joined Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on Breakfast on Friday morning.
When told the permutations required for Scotland to advance, Brazil said: “And I’m signing for Juventus today!”
He added: “No chance. Yes, I’m signing for Juventus tomorrow as well. Not a chance. We blew it and we didn’t learn our lesson.
“We got away with murder because that was a clear goal for Vinicius Jr, for me it wasn’t a free-kick. We got away with murder.
“We should learn our lesson and I’m all for, I don’t want to go on about it, playing out from the back.
“If you’ve got players who can play out from the back, fine, but not when you’re playing against quality opposition who are going to press you with pace.
“Sometimes you have to try and get a draw or a result playing ugly and I’m afraid the fans will whinge at 90 minutes, but after that, ‘oh we’re in, we’re through to the next stage,’ and I think that’s what we should have done.”
Clarke on exit
Clarke admitted he was not confident Scotland would get the results they needed elsewhere to advance after losing to Brazil.
Following the match, he was asked if he felt his team were heading for an early exit.
In response, he told reporters: “Yes, for sure. I think we’re going home.”
Clarke, who signed a new four-year deal last month, has guided Scotland to three of the last four major tournaments.
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