Scotland’s qualification hopes left up in the air after 3-0 Brazil defeat
Vinicius Junior celebrates his second in Miami. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA
Sorry Scotland lost a second World Cup group game with a bruising 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami to leave their last-32 hopes up in the air.
Vinicius Junior took advantage of a horror mistake by returning Scots defender Scott McKenna to give the South Americans the lead in the seventh minute and then had the ball in the net in the 20th minute, but was adjudged to have fouled Jack Hendry.
But the lively Real Madrid attacker did get his second in added time of the first half after more poor defending and striker Matheus Cunha grabbed a third just after the hour mark.
Steve Clarke’s side, who were guaranteed third place in Group C after a 1-0 win against Haiti and a 1-0 defeat by Morocco, have a goal difference of minus three and have to wait to see if they finish the group stages as one of the eight best third-placed teams with several permutations possible.
Optimism was high among the Tartan Army, who were vastly outnumbered in the stands by yellow shirts, but after a decent start they were again stunned by an early goal.
McKenna, playing for the first time in the tournament after recovering from a calf injury, took a pass from Angus Gunn but was tackled by Rayan and when the ball broke to Vinicius Junior, he simply rounded the Scotland goalkeeper and tapped into the empty net.
After losing a goal in 70 seconds against Morocco, it was another nightmare start for the Scots who survived a few scares, not least when Vinicius Junior robbed Hendry and slid the ball past Gunn.
At the behest of the VAR, referee Cesar Arturo Ramos was asked to reconsider and the Mexican official gave a foul against the Brazilian for impeding Henry as he tried to play the ball.
But in added time in the first half, after Scotland failed to clear their lines, Bruno Guimaraes’s cross took out Gunn and Vinicius Junior headed in at the back post.
There was time for the Scotland number one to pull off a crucial save from Rayan, who found himself clean through on goal with the Scots defence missing in action.
Skipper Andy Robertson was replaced by Kieran Tierney for the start of the second half and within minutes Brazil keeper Alisson saw his first real action when he saved Scott McTominay’s close-range header from a John McGinn cross.
Moments later, Gunn raced from his goal to deny Vinicius Junior his hat-trick by sticking out his foot, then denied the Brazilian star by clutching another effort from long range.
But when Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes burst through the Scottish defence and unselfishly slipped the ball to Cunha for an easy goal, Scots’ supporters slumped back in their seats again, Scotland at last fought back and Alisson made saves from a Ferguson free-kick and a McTomninay header.
Brazil fans called for Neymar, who last played for his country over two and half years ago and who started on the bench, to come on and he replaced Cunha to great cheers after Lawrence Shankland headed a Ferguson cross over the bar.
In the 78th minute Vinicius Junior missed a great chance at the back post and Alisson again thwarted McTominay in added time, but it was a sobering night for Scotland whose 2026 World Cup future is in doubt.
Made some great saves to keep the score down, but arguably at fault for losing the flight of Bruno Guimaraes’ cross for Vinicius’ second goal.
The Everton right-back was also caught out for Brazil’s second, having handled Vinicius pretty well up to that point.
Missed the first two matches with a calf injury and was badly at fault for Brazil’s first, losing the ball to Rayan close to goal and serving up a gift for Vinicius.
Very lucky to avoid the same fate as McKenna when Vinicius picked his pocket to score, only for the referee to decide on review that the Real Madrid star had fouled him.
Attempted to get forward when he could but failed to clear his lines in the build-up to Brazil’s second in first-half injury time. Substituted at half-time.
Rarely gave the ball away in midfield and did some good defensive work too. Had a free-kick pushed over the top by Alisson in the second half.
Less influential than Scotland needed him to be in midfield.
Some presentable openings fell the Napoli man’s way in the second half, but he was unable to convert any of them.
A substitute in the first two games and struggled to assert himself. Easily bundled off the ball by Guimaraes in the build-up to Brazil’s third.
Struggled to get into the game wide on the right with only snatches of possession.
Worked hard as the lone forward and produced some neat touches. Headed over a Ferguson corner.
Kieran Tierney came on for Robertson at the break and played well down the left flank, twice finding the head of McTominay in the box. Anthony Ralston and Ryan Christie replaced Patterson and Gannon-Doak for the final 10 respectively.
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