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.
Vinicius Junior scored twice and Matheus Cunha once as the Scots were swept aside in Miami primarily due to their own defensive mistakes.
That leaves them in third place in Group C with a goal difference of -3 and means they must wait for other results to see if they have made it into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
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.
He was asked for his thoughts on the game and provided an eight word response as he disappointment showed on his face.
“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.”
When reminded that Scotland now face a waiting game now and asked for his thoughts on what is to come the Scotland boss responded: “I don’t even want to think about that. Sorry, I don’t even think about that.”
He then walked away before the interview could be concluded properly.
Clarke later spoke again with Barbour 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.
Scotland midfielder John McGinn was more forthcoming in an interview of his own and explained how the players were ‘gutted’ by the result having fallen short on the night.
“Gutted obviously. We lose poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality,” he told BBC One. “We had a few chances but we’ve got to wait now. The lads are gutted, we fell short on quality tonight but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now.
“It’s unlikely [to qualify] but we’ll wait and see. In moments they [Brazil] hurt you. They allowed us to have the ball and at this level if you make mistakes you get punished. We probably were fortunate to have the [second] goal disallowed.
“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.”
