Scotland fall to 3-0 defeat to Brazil leaving hopes of qualification hanging by a thread
Subtitle: Scotland's World Cup dream suffers a harsh reality check as the five-time champions produce a clinical 3-0 victory.
Scotland’s World Cup hopes of qualification to the knock out stages of the competition for the first time in their history, were dealt a significant blow on Wednesday night as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Brazil in Miami.
Head coach Steve Clarke made four changes from the defeat to Morocco, with Scott McKenna, Kenny McLean, Ben Gannon-Doak and Lawrence Shankland coming into the starting XI. Scotland began the match with confidence in the sweltering conditions.
However, Brazil took the lead with their first opportunity in the sixth minute. A heavy touch from McKenna allowed Rayan to rob the Dynamo Zagreb defender, and the loose ball fell to Vinicius Junior, who rounded Angus Gunn before finishing calmly.
Scotland responded positively and nearly fashioned an equaliser when Nathan Patterson’s through ball almost released Gannon-Doak, only for a last-ditch challenge to deny the winger a clear run on goal. Brazil threatened again midway through the half, with Vinicius Junior’s effort failing to trouble Gunn, before a second goal was ruled out by VAR due to a foul on Jack Hendry in the build-up, after the former Celtic and Dundee defender was caught on the ball.
That reprieve sparked a spell of pressure from Scotland, who forced several corners and saw efforts from McKenna and Lewis Ferguson come close. But Brazil regained control before the break, doubling their lead in stoppage time as Vinicius Junior headed home from a Bruno Guimarães cross, as Gunn flapped at fresh air.
Scotland were relieved to reach half-time still within touching distance, although there was a further setback as captain Andy Robertson was forced off through injury, with Kieran Tierney introduced.
Tierney quickly made an impact after the restart, delivering a cross that Scott McTominay headed straight at Alisson, while Gunn was required moments later to deny Vinicius Junior at the other end. Scotland also had two penalty appeals waved away in quick succession as Patterson and McLean went down in the box.
Brazil extended their advantage on the hour mark when Guimarães held off McLean before setting up Matheus Cunha, who finished at the near post to make it 3-0.
Scotland continued to push forward and created several chances. Alisson produced a standout save to keep out Ferguson’s in-swinging free-kick, before denying McTominay from close range shortly after. Much of Scotland’s attacking threat came down the left, with Tierney heavily involved.
McTominay went close again in the 72nd minute, turning a loose ball over the bar, while Shankland headed wide from a Ferguson corner as Scotland searched for a way back into the match.
Scotland were unable to find a breakthrough, with Alisson making a late save to deny McTominay once more. The result leaves Scotland watching and praying results in the final round of group fixtures go their way.
Scotland: Gunn, Patterson (Ralston 82), Hendry, McKenna, Robertson (Tierney 46), Ferguson, McLean, Gannon-Doak (Christie 82), McTominay, McGinn (Curtis 91), Shankland
Unused Substitutes: Kelly, Gordon, Hickey, Hanley, Souttar, Hyam, Fletcher, Dykes, Adams, Stewart, Hirst
Brazil: Alisson, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Casemiro (Fabinho 65), Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta (Gabriel Martinelli 66), Vinicius Junior, Matheus Cunha (Neymar 76), Rayan (Endrick 82)
Unused substitutes: Weverton, Ederson, Alex Sandro, Bremer, Leo Pereira, Roger Ibanez, Ederson Silva, Danilo Santos, Luiz Henrique, Igor Thiago