Scotland were demolished 3-0 by Brazil in Miami, leaving their World Cup survival hanging by a thread as they desperately wait on results elsewhere to see if they can scrape through as one of the best third-placed teams.
SCOTLAND ARE DOWN. BUT ARE THEY OUT?
The music stopped in Miami — and Brazil turned off the lights.
Vinicius Jr scored twice inside the first half, Matheus Cunha added another, and Scotland were thoroughly, comprehensively outclassed in a 3-0 defeat that has left their World Cup on life support.
It was painful. Scotland spent just 47 seconds in Brazil’s final third in the entire first half and didn’t register a shot on target until the 78th minute. As the report put it bluntly: “No team deserves to go anywhere but home when you’re as impotent as that.”
But — and it’s a slim but — they’re not mathematically out. Yet.
Scotland head back to Charlotte, North Carolina, clinging to their status as potential best third-placed qualifiers. As things stand, they’re sweating on results involving Senegal, Ecuador, Curacao, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and others — any of which could swing their fate in either direction.
The predictor currently has them facing Mexico on Tuesday if they survive. Whether that’s a shot at redemption or a trip to another torture chamber remains to be seen.
What’s certain is this: progressing after one deflected goal against Haiti and two defeats would be one of the most unlikely escape acts in Scottish football history.
Steve Clarke’s men rallied late — McTominay had chances, Scotland pushed — but they couldn’t find the consolation goal that might yet prove critical in the standings.
They were down on Wednesday night. The next few days will tell us whether they’re done.
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