Scotland‘s hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds of the World Cup for the first time are hanging by a thread after Brazil clinched Group C with a 3-0 win in Miami.
Steve Clarke’s men knew a point would likely be enough to see them make history and punch their ticket to the round of 32. However, they quickly self-destructed in south Florida.
A dreadful error from Scott McKenna gifted Vinicius Junior a seventh-minute opener, and only a controversial overturn following a VAR review spared Jack Hendry’s blushes after the Real Madrid man again pounced on a similar mistake.
Vinicius did get his second late in the first half to leave Scotland with a mountain to climb, and Matheus Cunha ensured they will face a nervous wait when he rolled home Brazil’s third following excellent work from the impressive Bruno Guimaraes.
Scotland did have chances to pull a goal back, but a three-goal defeat left them sixth in the ranking of third-placed teams with all six of the teams below them still to play their final round of fixtures. According to Opta, Scotland have a 42 percent chance of progressing, with the odds suggesting they will likely be heading home.
Having won the group ahead of Morocco, Brazil will face the runner-up from Group F, which will be either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden, in Houston on June 29.
Vinicius punishes Scotland mistakes
Hopes of a fairytale evening for Scotland were quickly diminished as McKenna was caught in possession inside his own penalty area by Bournemouth teenager Rayan, who then squared for Vinicius to round a helpless Angus Gunn and roll the ball into an empty net.
Vinicius looked to have a second in markedly similar circumstances, only for VAR to intervene.
It appeared as if the Real Madrid man had been presented with another gift as he robbed Jack Hendry of the ball and then slotted beyond Gunn.
However, following a pitchside review, referee Cesar Ramos adjudged that Vincius had fouled Hendry as they battled for possession.
That dubious reprieve proved immaterial, however, with Vinicius heading home his second, and his fourth of the tournament in the third minute of injury time.
Excellent pressing from Cunha presented the ball to Guimaraes, who produced a superb far-post cross for Vinicius to nod home.
Cunha makes it three as Brazil fans finally see Neymar
Only a fine stop from Gunn prevented Rayan from making it 3-0 before half-time at the end of a brilliant Brazil move, and the Scotland goalkeeper produced more heroics to deny Vinicius his hat-trick after the restart following a fine throughball from Lucas Paqueta.
There was nothing Gunn could do, though, as Guimaraes outmuscled Kenny McLean to latch on to Casemiro’s pass before skilfully laying the ball off for Cunha to steer home.
Scotland, to their credit, responded well and had several chances to reduce the damage. Alisson turned over a Lewis Ferguson free-kick and then made a diving save to keep out a Scott McTominay header.
Lawrence Shankland scooped over from close range and had a header go narrowly over, while at the other end produced yet another fine save to keep out a Vinicius drive.
Vinicius saw several chances to complete his treble go begging, but there was plenty for the Brazil fans to cheer with the introduction of Neymar for his first game in his fourth World Cup finals. Brazil, Vinicius and Neymar will have at least one more night in this tournament. McTominay’s failure to take a late chance to beat Alisson from close range means the odds are slightly against Scotland getting another game in North America.
