Scotland face an anxious wait to discover their World Cup 2026 fate after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Steve Clarke’s side knew that a draw would be enough to see them through to the knockout stages for the first time in their history, but an error-strewn performance was their downfall.
Vinicius Junior profited inside eight minutes from the returning Scott McKenna’s sloppy backpass, and the Real Madrid star latched onto the loose ball, rounded the stranded Angus Gunn and slotted into the unguarded net.
The winger thought he had his second of the evening when he seized upon the ball after more lax Scottish defending, with centre-back Jack Hendry dallying in possession.
He was robbed by Vinicius who tucked it beyond Gunn, but VAR adjudged that the Brazil man had fouled the defender.
It was two on the stroke of half time, however, and Vinicius finally had his fourth in three games.
Bruno Guimaraes delivered a delicious cross for the forward, who ghosted in at the far post to nod home from close range.
Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha made it three on the hour, with Casemiro slotting a wonderfully weighted pass into Guimaraes, before the Newcastle midfielder cut it back for Cunha to slide in the third and kill the game off.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland were limited to half-chances, and Scott McTominay tested Alisson with two headed efforts, but that was the closest they came.
Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti at least gives Scotland a chance to progress into the knockout rounds, but they face a nervy wait now.
They are sixth in the table of best third-placed teams, but they will have to wait until the group stage concludes before knowing if they will play again at this tournament.
