A deflated Scotland manager Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson believe they are “going home” as the Tartan Army were pushed towards a World Cup group stage exit after succumbing to the class of Brazil in a 3-0 defeat to complete Group C in Miami.
A Vinicius Jr double and Matheus Cunha’s third have left the Tartan Army with three points and a -3 goal difference, to significantly dent hopes of advancing as one of eight third-place teams. Clarke’s side could still progress with three points in the new 48-team format but now they must wait to discover their fate.
“Time will tell,” Robertson said. “As a collective we didn’t want to put ourselves in a position of having to watch every game and hope for favours. If you ask me now, I don’t think it’s enough, I don’t think we’ve done enough.”
That position was echoed by a frustrated Clarke, as he returned to conduct another post-match interview after cutting the first one short following just 23 seconds. “I think we’re going home,” he said. “The best team won.”
Follow all the latest reaction from Miami below after Scotland’s 3-0 defeat Brazil:
The inspiration behind South Africa’s incredible World Cup comeback as Bafana Bafana advance
History for South Africa was another blow to Scotland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages, as Bafana Bafana locked up a place in the knockout stages for first time.
From the humiliation at the hands of hosts Mexico, including two red cards, to a dramatic late win on Wednesday thanks to Thapelo Maseko, to down South Korea 1-0 and leapfrog them into second.
South Korea can still qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, and are ahead of Scotland in the ranking of third-place teams.
Scotland sweating on fitness of Andy Robertson ahead of uncertain World Cup future
Scotland are sweating over the fitness of captain Andy Robertson as they await the conclusion of the group stage to determine if they have done enough to qualify for the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
A 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their final group game in Miami has hurt Scotland’s chances of progression but their tally of three points could yet be enough to send them into the last-32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Should they get there, they may need to play their first ever knockout match at a World Cup without their skipper as Robertson picked up an injury during the Brazil clash.
Matheus Cunha’s third leaves Scotland’s World Cup hopes in doubt
Skipper Andy Robertson was replaced by Kieran Tierney for the start of the second half and within minutes Brazil goalkeeper 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 Lewis Ferguson free-kick and a McTominay header.
More poor defending as Vinicius Jr doubles Brazil’s lead against Scotland
Scotland survived a few scares, not least when Vinicius Junior robbed Jack Hendry and slid the ball past Andy 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’ 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.
Scotland make another nightmare start at World Cup as Vinicius Jr steals in
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. Scott 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.
Tearful Neymar makes emotional Brazil return as Selecao advance at World Cup
Brazil legend Neymar made a tearful return to the field for his national side as the Selecao beat Scotland 3-0 in their final group game at the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar, who last played for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, was originally something of a surprise inclusion in the Brazil squad for the tournament, and missed the opening two games due to a calf injury.
However, the 34-year-old recovered in time to make the bench for the final game of Group C, and with Brazil 3-0 up and cruising he was brought on for Matheus Cunha in the 76th minute.
John McGinn rues ‘poor goals’ as Scotland put on the brink of World Cup exit
John McGinn has rued Scotland’s soft concession of “poor goals” against Brazil, with the Aston Villa midfielder fearing it may be the end of their World Cup campaign.
“We lost poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality,” McGinn told BBC Sport. “We had a few chances but we’ve got to wait now.
“The lads are gutted, we fell short on quality but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now. It’s unlikely [that we qualify] but we’ll wait and see.
“It’s a bit raw at the minute but we appreciate the support of the fans, we know it’s difficult to be there. Hopefully the journey is not over and if we have to go again, we will go again.”
Steve Clarke: ‘For sure, I think we’re going home’
Steve Clarke later spoke again with the BBC and explained that mistakes cost his team tonight and revealed his thoughts on Scotland’s future in the competition.
“You see their quality in the final third of the pitch, let’s be honest, the best team won,” he said.
“Unbelievable, the shift the players put in, in that humidity, outstanding. We have to be better, if we want to compete at this level.
“We started four or five minutes, moving the ball nicely, settled, then we made a mistake, you can’t do that at this level.
“Only Scotland can get a winnable first game, then No. 5 and No. 6 in the world next two games, that’s the level we’re at.
“For sure, I think we’re going home,” he concluded.
Steve Clarke abandons post-match interview after just 23 seconds
Scotland manager Steve Clarke abandoned his post-match interview with BBC presenter Eilidh Barbour after just 23 seconds following a 3-0 loss to Brazil which leaves his team’s World Cup campaign in the balance.
Clarke, who has masterminded Scotland’s path to the World Cup and had high hopes of making history with his squad, was visibly emotional when speaking to Barbour following the final whistle.
“We made it difficult for ourselves, that’s it,” Clarke replied.
Two more questions followed with Barbour asking if it was frustrating that Brazil didn’t need to work hard to score and Clarke agreed saying: “We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.”
Andy Robertson: ‘We’ve only got ourselves to blame’
Scotland conceded their opening goal in atrocious fashion, with Scott McKenna gifting the ball to Vinicius Jr after just eight minutes.
“We started the game well, we pushed up the pitch, they maybe put us in a false sense of security,” captain Andy Robertson said.
“We had time on the ball and then got punished. We’re just off the pitch but the initial reaction is just one of frustration.
“At times we were comfortable on the ball, at times we got ourselves in dangerous areas but at this stage, against these teams, we can’t afford to make the mistakes we made.
“We played some nice stuff when you then go and get beat 3-0. A frustrating night but I suppose we’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
