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Three points from Haiti, Morocco and Brazil is probably par for Scotland, but the nature of the early goals they conceded leaves a sour taste for their fans, and they lacked punch going forward. Now they have to wait.
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I think you see their quality in the final third, we didn’t have that tonight. We created some chances but didn’t take them. Let’s be honest, the best team won.
They put an unbelievable shift in, in that heat and that humidity but we have to better. We started well, moving the ball across the pitch in the first four or five minutes, but you cannot do that [the mistake for the first goal].
I think we’re going home. Only Scotland can get a winnable first game and then play No 5 and No 6 in the world.
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Scotland’s manager says: “We made it difficult for ourselves, that’s it. We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.”
On their prospects of progressing, he says: “I don’t even think about that.”
Then Clarke walked off. That was the end of his post-match BBC interview.
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Scotland have dipped down to sixth in the mini-league of third-placed teams, just three places above the dreaded cutline.
However, this being the 2026 World Cup, things are more complicated than that, because this is not an exhaustive list of possible third-placed finishers. Teams who are currently second or fourth could find themselves in the fight.
For instance, it is possible that Saudi Arabia – currently fourth on one point in Group H – could jump to third and above Scotland in the mini-league if they beat Cape Verde.
Another example is Japan, who are currently second in Group F on four points, but they would finish third (and above Scotland in the mini-league) if they lost to Sweden.
In short, Scotland just need to hope and pray that things work out.
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Another defence chance for McTominay! Ralston did well to drive to the byline beyond Neymar, but McTominay’s first-time shot was too close to Alisson. That could be a big moment.
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Scotland do have a corner late, after a solid Gabriel header to clear a free-kick floated into the box.
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Shankland fouled by Martinelli around 40 yards from goal. Two more Scotland subs: Curtis and Adams on, Shankland and McGinn off.
There will be six minutes of added time.
Morocco have wrapped up their victory.
And a fourth for Morocco in Atlanta! With only added time, surely they have secured victory in the final group game. Raid pulls the ball back into the box where it is rifled into the back of the net by Gessime Yassine. After a lengthy VAR check, checking if Riad had kept the ball in play on the backline, the goal stands!
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Neymar fouled near the left flank, after Vinicius played a one-two with him. After the free-kick is cleared, Neymar shoots straight at Gunn from distance.
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Gabriel with a volley that was heading for the far corner, blocked by McKenna. Brazil finishing with a flourish, with the help of the fresh legs off the bench.
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Enrick with an important defensive intervention in his own penalty area as Tierney was winding up to shoot. Brazil then settle into another lengthy spell of possession, and they win a corner through Vinicius Junior.
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Brazil go close to their fourth again! Danilo flashes a cross through the six-yard box, and it was just behind Vinicius. A fourth goal would see that percentage chance of Scotland progression decrease further.
Scotland changes: Gannon-Doak and Patterson off, Christie and Ralston on.
Alex Sandro and Endrick are also on now for Brazil.
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Danilo fouls McGinn, and the right-back needs to be a little careful on a yellow card.
Vinicius Junior cuts through the Scotland defence and goes near post in search of his hat-trick goal, but Gunn is down sharply to tip the ball around the post.
In the other game in the group, Morocco lead for the first time tonight.
Morocco have their third! Coming from behind, they lead Haiti 3-2, taking the lead for the first time in the match with just over 10 minutes to go. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi finds the back of the net, after Chadi Riad nods a corner on in the box, which the forward brings down with a deft touch and fires home on the turn.
Brazil lead the table as it stands with their superior goal difference.
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Scotland with another corner, punched clear by Alisson but the attack is sustained. McLean heads a cross back into the six-yard box but Fabinho reads things well to clear the expense of a corner. Shankland glances a header on to the roof of the net.
And now that Brazil sub is made: Cunha off, Neymar on.
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Play has now resumed and the next 20 minutes could well prove decisive for Scotland.
Another half-chance falls to McTominay. Tierney, who has been a positive since coming on, with a low cross helped on by Shankland at the near post but McTominay scooped his shot over the bar.
Huge roar from the Brazil fans because Neymar is ready to come on for his first appearance at the tournament.
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We are in the midst of the second hydration break of the game.
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Scotland have to keep playing at full gas because every goal could be crucial. The only problem, against a relaxed Brazil team with space to attack, is that maxim applies at the other end as well.
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Alisson makes his first serious save of the night, pushing away a header by McTominay which was heading for the bottom corner.
Here come some Brazil changes: Casemiro and Paqueta off, Fabinho and Gabriel Martinelli on. I think that means Cunha will play in a deeper role.
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Scotland have a free-kick on the edge of the box in a crossing position, Tierney with a slick one-two and he was clattered by Danilo who picks up a booking.
Ferguson whips a shot towards the far corner, and Alisson pushes over the bar.
A reminder of the pre-match projections on BBC:
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Scotland’s chances of reaching the knockouts crater below the 50 per cent mark for the first time tonight. They really are in the lap of the goods. Nice burst forward from Bruno Guimaraes, bustling his way through, and he had the presence of mind to flick the ball into the Cunha’s path and he passed into the net. Cue the surfing celebration.
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Rayan with another delightful touch to bring down a long pass forward, but Paqueta fired over the bar from around 25 yards out. Rather like the first half, it has been a slow burn for Brazil but they are starting to click into gear.
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Scotland have now nudged in front on the possession stats, but they have mustered 0.24 expected goals to Brazil’s 3.13. There’s the story of the game, right there. Brazil are now keeping the ball in the Scotland half, but Guimaraes’s pass to Danilo is overhit.
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Another Scotland penalty shout, and this one perhaps had more substance. Great flick from Shankland to find McLean in the box, but letting the ball bounce gave Gabriel the chance to use his body and snuff out the chance. A little last ditch, but not quite enough for a penalty. Could McLean have taken on the volley?
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Scotland pressing high and enjoying plenty of possession, but the suspicion is Brazil are quite happy for them to have the ball. It only takes a moment to change that narrative, though.
Patterson gets forward to good effect, playing a one-two at the edge of the box, and he hits the deck in the box. Referee waves it away and no suggestion of VAR being involved. The right-back was just eased out.
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Scotland’s best chance of the game: crisp passing in the Brazil half, and Tierney swings in a cross to the penalty spot from the right, but McTominay headed straight at Alisson. Brazil’s left-back Santos did just enough to make it tricky for McTominay.
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Better football from Scotland, with Patterson finding Ferguson and the midfielder links to McTominay. The former Manchester United man looks for Shankland with a through ball, but Gabriel got a toe to the ball. Right idea from Scotland and McTominay.
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Winning the second half 1-0 would be a result for Scotland from here.
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It is a like-for-like sub: Tierney on for Robertson. Is that a knock or a technical decision?
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Scotland a case study in don't constantly try to play out from the back when you're not good enough to look after the ball. Brazil just had to wait for the mistake like a spider waiting for a fly to fly into its web. That's all they've had to do.
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 24, 2026
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There has been some shocking defending from Scotland who have gifted Brazil – and Vinicius – both their goals. That was poor from captain Andrew Robertson whose pass was intercepted for the second goal with Nathan Patterson playing Vinicius onside and appearing to duck under the cross. Such a strange feeling that even with this scoreline Scotland might go through.
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Steve Clarke picked a more attacking team, and his team have made more of an effort to keep the ball, but Brazil held them at arm’s length and waited for the mistakes to follow. Scott McKenna’s individual mistake was the worst possible start, and as the half wore on Brazil started to cut Scotland open from set possession in humid conditions. A naive Scotland performance.
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Scotland in search of a quick response from a set-piece, but Gannon-Doak’s shot from the edge of the box.
Then Brazil break, and it takes an excellent save from Gunn to deny Rayan and keep Scotland vaguely in the contest.
The touch from the Bournemouth winger to take down the flighted ball and send Robertson for a hot dog was brilliant.
Meanwhile, in the other game in the group.
It is raining goals in Atlanta! Even though Haiti have already been eliminated from the tournament, Morocco are fighting to finish top, and pull themselves level again thanks to Ismael Saibari. Hakimi races onto a ball down the right-hand side and pulls it back into the centre of the box, where a charging Saibari meets it. With a first-touch finish, he sends it flying past Placide for his third goal of the tournament.
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That is a delightful cross from Bruno Guimaraes, floated to the back post in such a way that it tempts Angus Gunn to come for it. Like a spinner deceiving a batsman, the curl on the ball does for the goalkeeper, and it is a simple header to find the unguarded net.
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Gannon-Doak scuffed a shot in the Brazil box, but the ball broke kindly for him to continue his run, but he was halted by a full-bloodied challenge by Casemiro. Had to make first contact on the ball, and he did.
We will play six minutes of added time.
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Scotland soaking up some pressure in their defensive shape, content to get in at half-time only the 1-0 down.
But that plan very nearly falls apart! Vinicius with an exchange of passes with Rayan to get in behind, Cunha dashed across the near post to turn the low cross towards goal, but Ferguson cleared just a few yards off the line.
In the other game in the group, Wilson Isidor has scored a screamer to restore Haiti’s lead.
Just minutes after Morocco thought they were back on level terms, Haiti stunned the crowd in Atlanta with an absolute screamer. Wilson Isidor gets the ball from Jean-Kévin Duverne about 35 yards out from goal and turns, putting his laces through the ball to find the far corner.
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Brazil controlling possession at the moment, the atmosphere has gone a little flat.
Cunha finds another promising pocket of space, inside left, and this time he curls his shot wide of the post. Brazil’s shooting a little wayward.
Morocco have scored a not altogether surprising equaliser against Haiti, Hakimi with the goal.
Morocco have found their equaliser! A simple tap-in by Achraf Hakimi for his first World Cup goal, after Bilal El Khannouss’s ball into the box is palmed away from goal by Haiti keeper Johny Placide. It falls a yard out from goal to the Moroccan captain who bundles it home.
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Scotland needed a big game from Scott McTominay but, so far, he has been off the pace and far too easily dispossessed. But they have rallied well after that appalling mistake (or two) and it is 20-year-old winger Ben Gannon-Doak who is providing the spark. For them, the hated hydration break has helped.
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McTominay has been caught on the ball repeatedly in the last few games, and Brazil launched a dangerous counter-attack off the turnover. Rayan could have played the extra pass, but he tried to find the top corner and his curling shot flew wide.
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This Scotland performance is not without hope, it has just been blemished by two unforced errors, one of which was retrieved by a VAR intervention.
Rayan looking dangerous with an out-to-in run off the work, and he is convinced he should have had a corner. Looked like Ferguson got a foot in.
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Is this another instance of a hydration break changing the course of a game? Scotland have another corner after a Robertson cross was blocked at the end of a promising attack which swept from right to left.
Paqueta with a lovely nutmeg out a tight corner, but then his pass was loose. Lewis Ferguson shoots from long range, and it is deflected behind for another corner.
The delivery is harmless for Brazil, and Hendry is penalised for a foul on Guimaraes.
You hope that Steve Clarke, seldom a human sunbeam, has imparted some invigorating messages during that hydration break. A World Cup is about making memories, and Scotland need to start creating a few that do not involve traffic cones.
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Play is back under way, and Scotland have a corner. Aimed towards McTominay at the near post, flicked off a Brazil head and Gabriel clears.
McGinn then delivers a dangerous follow up cross from the right, floated to the back post, but not Scotland player was around the knockdown which dropped on the six-yard line.
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Scotland have the chance to regroup during the first hydration break. It could easily have been game over already.
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Scotland get a reprieve, and the referee offers no real explanation as to why the goal is disallowed. It is a faint touch on the boot of Hendry from Vinicius. The Scotland defender has got very lucky there.
Scotland want to show composure on the ball rather than hoofing it long, but decisions have to be made faster than a glacial pace.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 24, 2026Relief for Scotland! 🏴
Vinicius Jr slots home a second but after a VAR check the decision is taken that the Brazilian forward tripped Jack Hendry in the build-up 🎥❌ pic.twitter.com/YVgMqfzSun
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Dear, oh dear. A touch of the Oscar Wilde: To concede one goal like that in a game of this magnitude might be misfortune, but to do it twice...
Hendry stands on the ball while last man, and Vinicius scores his fourth goal of the tournament by rolling the ball under Gunn.
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Brazil finding some fluency now, Vinicius picking out Rayan on the right flank with a clever pass. Hendry was well-positioned to clear his low cross, before Ferguson also defends well against Vinicius.
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Scotland defend the corner, and then Gannon-Doak proves an outlet and makes it stick for Scotland. But then McTominay takes too long on the ball and he has his pocket picked by Cunha, and the Brazil breaks ends with Vinicius poking an outside of the foot shot wide of the post.
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Scotland have at least settled down and avoided conceding a quickfire second, but Brazil are enjoying more and more possession. Cunha trying to drop off the centre-backs, and he is well found by an incisive Gabriel pass. Brazil corner.
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Important defensive intervention from Gabriel with Gannon-Doak threatening to burst in behind the Brazil defence. Had the Scotland winger got there first, he could have been clean through.
A Brazilian psychic had warned that aliens would arrive in a UFO Ship and abduct hundreds of fans at the this game. Scott McKenna probably wishes he was one of them, right now.
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I listened to an interview with Colin Hendry this week, who played against Brazil at France ‘98. He said it was galling to lose to Rivaldo, Ronaldo and the rest to a goal from a corner and an own goal. That was even more self-inflicted.
In the other game in the group, Haiti have taken a shock lead against Morocco through Lenny Joseph. No real consequences for Scotland, Haiti are guaranteed to finish bottom.
s it stands, Brazil top the group. Morocco sit in second and the Scots are third – on the same points as Haiti.
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So much for the assured Scotland start that looked quite encouraging. The centre-back Scott McKenna, in for Hanley tonight, dallies on the ball in his box looking for a pass and Rayan charges him down. The tackle breaks perfectly, from a Brazil perspective, to Vinicius in the box, who rounds Gunn and rolls the ball into the empty net.
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Gunn claims a low cross whipped in by Bruno Guimaraes, before Brazil settle into their first period of sustained possession. Most of it is in front of Scotland’s defensive shape, with McTominay and Shankland their most advanced players.
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Jack Hendry shows impressive composure to play out from deep, rather than knock the ball long. Very early days, but this has been a confident start from Scotland, much more assured than the early minutes against Morocco. Brazil find themselves behind the ball in a 4-5-1 shape with Scotland passing the ball around, the inverse of what we expected. That will not last forever, though.
There are olés from the Scotland fans as their team keep the ball. Meanwhile Jack Hendry has just done a Cruyff turn inside his own penalty area. Just like playing Brazil.
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Lewis Ferguson makes Paqueta aware of his presence in the early exchanges, before Robertson swings in a cross that is headed out of the Brazil penalty area by Gabriel. Rayan then gives a bit back to Ferguson, catching him with a flailing arm.
David Beckham, who owns Inter Miami, is watching on from the stands with a glass of red wine in hand.
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The noise is really something inside the stadium. It’s proper Miami sound machine vibes. It’s a sea of yellow and bits of blue and tartan now the stadium has filled up. But the Scottish rendition of Flower of Scotland was really something. The Brazilian anthem is frankly a bit of a dirge. Scotland win the anthem battle easy… now for the football.
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Carlo Ancelotti was out just before the teams, and was given a warm embrace by a sleeveless Ronaldinho. The same goes for Brazil captain Marquinhos. I doubt Ronaldinho needed much persuading for a few nights in Miami, he loves a party almost as much as the Scotland fans.
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Fingers crossed that no news is good news, but things do look quite dark overhead.
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He has not played for Brazil since 2023, and has started just eight of Santos’s 18 league matches in the Brazilian top flight this season. Ancelotti showed scant interest in picking him, until a sudden change of heart. Possibly because of some pressure from Brazil’s football federation, the CBF, if the whispers are to be believed.
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What will this be for Scotland? They have failed to beat Brazil in 10 attempts – eight defeats and two draws – stretching back 60 years and there has been some anguish and cruel twists of fate along the way. Not least in the World Cup. 1974 and a goalless draw, when Billy Bremner should have scored, is the closest they have come to winning. 1982 and David Narey with a toe poke giving them the lead before a 4-1 defeat. Jim Leighton spilling a late winner in 1990 and Tom Boyd’s own goal in 1998.
Another defeat would not be a disaster as long as it is a narrow one. But glorious for Scotland it would be, how they can banish those previous disappointments, if it is more than that.
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In brief, Scotland will have some kind of odds-on chance to progress unless they are beaten by three goals or more. Even a complete tonking would give them more than a sniff, and this Brazil team do not look primed to dish out that kind of punishment.
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Unless they win (unlikely), Scotland fans will not know their team’s fate until Saturday at the completion of the group stage.
Then they will find out if they are one of the top eight third-placed teams. The limbo thing doesn’t come cheap. Fans will have to hang around in the US, that’s four more days, before knowing if they get to see Scotland make history by getting past the group stage for the first time. Or else on the plane home on Sunday.
Rab Wood, 58, a construction company boss, said the extra four days in Miami could easily cost him a further $5,000. And then he’ll fly home or go on to the round of 32.
But there’s confusion there too. He won’t know where he’s going until Saturday. Fans will be squeezed for last-minute flights and accommodation.
One said to me he would prefer a trip to Montreal for the next round of 32, out of the routes available to Scotland. The only problem with that is there are no World Cup games in Montreal. By my reckoning (and I could be wrong) Scotland could end up in any of: New York, Boston and Mexico City. That presents the problem of a scramble for last-minute flights and hotels to be booked. If only they could beat Brazil then those issues will all melt away. If only...
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Scotland are now third in this mini-league, courtesy of Bosnia’s win over Qatar, but no reason to panic. Belgium will be grateful for a game against New Zealand; as things stand they are going home.
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It is remarkably humid in Miami with fears of a thunderstorm and lightning strikes to come. The air is very, very heavy as the fans begin to file into the stadium. Hopefully the game will not be affected but the conditions do feel tough for Scotland who will also clearly be outnumbered by Brazil fans.
It is a much more attacking look to Scotland from Steve Clarke who has bowed to the demands to include winger Ben Gannon-Doak. It looks uncharacteristically bold from Clarke, especially as a point might do against Brazil.
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There is a first World Cup start for Bournemouth winger Rayan, who replaces the injured Raphinha.
Brazil XI: Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Santos, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Rayan, Paqueta, Vinicius Junior, Cunha
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Scotland fans wanted Clarke to “go for it” and by starting Ben Gannon-Doak he has answered their call. Grant Hanley has dropped out of the defence; he was at fault for trying to play offside on Morocco’s winning goal. Lawrence Shankland gets the nod up front, rather than Che Adams.
Scotland XI: Gunn, Patterson, Hendry, McKenna, Robertson, Gannon-Doak, McLean, Ferguson, McGinn, McTominay, Shankland
Subs: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Ralston, Tierney, Souttar, Hyam, Christie, Hendry, Adams, Fletcher, Curtis, Dykes, Hirst, Stewart
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John McGinn scored their only goal at the tournament so far, and they will need a big moment from him or Scott McTominay if they are to get a result against Brazil. Ancelotti’s team have a few weak areas, and a lack of legs in midfield could be one of them.
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They do not have to walk 500 miles to reach the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but it is a fair trek from the attractions of South Beach.
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The history, culture and temperate weather of Boston was an ideal home away from home for Scotland fans, but the incongruity of sporrans, tartan and bagpipes among the palm trees and sunshine of Miami is just as pleasing on the eye. And you can still find Samuel Adams beer in the Sunshine State, if they have a taste for it after their time up north.
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The first of the knockout games is on Sunday night, and by then we will have a clearer picture of how the tournament will pan out. You can use your own crystal ball to play our interactive World Cup predictor here.
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It is a quirk of Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years that two of their group-stage fixtures are France ‘98 reprises and they do not come more evocative than playing Brazil.
Scotland were gallant 2-1 losers all those years ago at the Stade de France, undone by a set-piece and a Tom Boyd own goal.
The closest they have come to beating Brazil was at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, when a team featuring David Hay, Danny McGrain, Billy Bremner and Kenny Dalglish missed the game’s best chances in a goalless draw against the then world champions.
The minimum requirement for Steve Clarke’s team in this game is unclear, and Scotland could be disadvantaged by being one of the first teams to play their third and final group game.
In the new, 48-team World Cup format, the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout rounds. Scotland, on three points, are well-placed to do so, and could even lose against Brazil in Miami and still progress, likely on goal difference. A draw and they will be all but through.
A famous victory would certainly be enough for Scotland to advance from a World Cup group for the first time in their history, heralding one heck of a celebration in South Florida.
Scotland fans who have descended on Miami’s white beaches and neon-lit Art Deco architecture want to see more adventure from Clarke, who was conservative in his selection and substitutions against Morocco.
Scotland started their campaign in a 4-4-2 shape against Haiti, which did not really change, but full-back Kieran Tierney replaced winger Ben Gannon-Doak and midfielder Ryan Christie came in for striker Lawrence Shankland.
Clarke says his team have been working on finding solutions to cause more problems for opposition defences, but they cannot afford another nervous start after conceding 70 seconds into the game against Morocco.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil were unconvincing against Morocco but did a professional job against Haiti. They are without Raphinha because of injury but Neymar, a curious squad inclusion, could return.
“Neymar is available,” Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday. “He worked this week and can be available for the match. We are very happy that he is back because, obviously, with his quality, he can help the team.
“I’ve really got to know him well. He has worked very seriously, trying to recover as quickly as possible.”
Full team news will follow shortly, and we will also have updates from Morocco vs Haiti.
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