Scotland’s World Cup dream hanging by a thread after Vinícius sparks Brazil victory

Scotland will now play the waiting game. The trouble is, as they hang around to discover whether a place in the last 32 can be secured as among the leading eight third placed teams in this World Cup , it is legitimate to question the point of it all. Scotland’s on field contribution to this tournament has been pitiful. Defeat to Brazil can and should happen. The ragged nature of Scotland’s output in Miami, the utterly punchless nature of their play – again – until desperation set in means they should enter the knockout phase with red faces should that come to pass. Steve Clarke’s men have been outscored by Haiti in Group C plus New Zealand, Iran and Cape Verde elsewhere. When Scott McTominay planted a 50th minute header into the hands of Alisson here, it was the Scots’ first effort on target since John McGinn’s deflected winner within half an hour against the Haitians. Grim. Fundamentally and undeniably grim. With three points and a goal difference of minus three, Scotland are clinging on. Their fate now lies outwith their hands and with countries who know exactly what they have to do to upstage the Scots. Clarke is not solely to blame for this pickle, albeit the nature of Scotland’s performances over three games raises the theme of what on earth has been learned from two previous finals appearances under this manager. The Scottish FA, crazily, handed Clarke a four-year contract extension before a ball was kicked in this World Cup. …