Scotland have been knocked out of the World Cup – two days after the defeat to Brazil that ultimately sealed their fate.
After a 3-0 loss to Brazil in Miami, Scotland required a series of results to go their way in order to advance to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Tartan Army saw a string of matches go against them, however, with Ghana’s defeat to Croatia confirming Steve Clarke’s side had exited the tournament.
Scotland’s supporters brought plenty to the World Cup off the pitch, charming locals in Boston and earning plenty of new fans in the United States.
But on the pitch, Scotland’s time at the tournament was forgettable. An opening 1-0 win over Haiti was followed by two defeats, a 1-0 loss to Morocco and the 3-0 against Brazil.
And while Steve Clarke’s side were drawn in tough group, Scotland will head home with no complaints after failing to offer enough threat in any of their three performances.
For Scotland, it continues a run of failing to make it out of the group stages of a major tournament, despite the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams.
Here is how the third-placed sides currently stand:
What Scotland needed – and how it went wrong
In Group A, Scotland needed Mexico to avoid losing to Czech Republic and South Korea avoid losing to South Africa. South Africa won 1-0 to advance.
In Group D, Scotland needed Australia to beat Paraguay by two goals. Australian and Paraguay played out a mutually beneficial draw to both go through.
In Group E, Scotland required both Ecuador and Curacao failing to win against Germany and Ivory Coast, respectively. Ecuador beat Germany 2-1.
In Group F, Scotland required a four-goal Japan victory against Sweden. But Sweden managed a 1-1 draw.
In Group I, Scotland needed a draw between Senegal and Iraq, or a narrow Iraq win. But Senegal thrashed their opposition 5-0.
In Group H, Scotland required a Spain win against Uruguay…and got it
In Group G, Scotland wanted an Egypt win against Iran, but watched the two sides draw.
In Group L, Scotland were desperate for Croatia to lose by three goals or more – but they won 2-1 against Ghana.
