Scotland’s hopes of a World Cup knockout berth are on life support following a 3-0 loss to Brazil.
Steve Clarke‘s side were very much the architects of their own downfall as Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha did the business in Miami.
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How Scotland’s loss impacts their knockout hopes
The result means Scotland finished third in Group C on three points, albeit with a goal difference of minus-3.
With the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the round of 32, Scotland now face a hugely nervy wait until all nations have played their final group match to see if their World Cup journey is over.
Knowing that goal difference could prove pivotal in extending their stay at the tournament, Scotland set up with the intention of being difficult to break down.
But that plan lasted just seven minutes as Scott McKenna, who was drafted into the starting line-up in place of Grant Hanley, produced an almighty error.
Having received the ball inside his own box from goalkeeper Angus Gunn, McKenna dawdled on the ball and was caught out by Rayan.
The rebound fell straight to Vini Jr, who faked out Gunn before tapping home into an empty net.
Speaking on commentary for eSPORTY, former Scotland international Mark McGhee could not believe the ‘disaster’ that had just unfolded.
“That was a horrific error, I don’t know what he was thinking,” McGhee said.
“But we need to recover now, not at half time.”
It appeared as if Vini Jr netted his second just over 10 minutes later when he robbed centre-back Jack Hendry of the ball on the edge of his area before firing past Gunn.
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However, Scotland were given a lifeline thanks to VAR as Vini Jr was deemed to have fouled Hendry in the process of winning the ball.
Despite the reprieve, it didn’t shock Clarke’s side into gear as they were undone by yet another self-inflicted wound.
This time it was skipper Andy Robertson, as his pass was intercepted inside Scotland’s 18-yard box.
The ball then fell to Bruno Guimaraes, who floated in a cross towards the back post.
Gunn came out to claim it but was left clutching at thin air, allowing Vini Jr to nod home into an empty net.
“We’ve got ourselves to blame, it’s our play which has created problems for ourselves,” McGhee said.
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“That is shocking… we don’t make the tackle and Gunn misses the cross. I don’t put any of that down to Brazil being good.”
McGhee added: “We have made diabolical errors, I include the second goal in that.”
Cunha then popped up with the killer blow on the hour mark, although it was Guimaraes who did the hard yards in setting up the goal.
The Newcastle star brushed off Kenny McClean to latch onto a perfectly weighted pass before laying it off to Cunha, who had wrapped around to the right and coolly slotted home with a first-time finish.
Seeing McClean lose out on the physical battle had McGhee fuming.
“Not only is it good play of Brazil, we’ve been out-muscled,” McGhee said.
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“I can’t believe that. That can’t happen. We’ve got to lose by the opposition’s brilliance.”
A late push from Scotland almost resulted in what could have been a vital consolation from Scott McTominay, but his close-range effort was denied by Brazil stopper Alisson.
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Individual errors could cost Scotland their place at the World Cup with McGhee saying this is what cost 7/10 Clarke in his plan to seal a famous result against the five-time world champions.
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Robertson suffers injury
Should Scotland progress, they may face a nervy wait on skipper Robertson who came off at half-time and was replaced by Kieran Tierney.
Robertson emerged for the second half with an ice pack strapped to his right ankle.
An injury to the new Tottenham signing would be the last thing Clarke needs following the deflating defeat against Brazil.
When asked about his injury post-match, Robertson said: “Time will tell. Need to take a day or two to see what has happened.”
Yet there will be no need to rush Robertson back if the loss against the five-time world champions proves to be Scotland’s final action at the World Cup.
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