The agony was etched across the faces of the Tartan Army as Brazil ran rings around their side in Miami, leaving Scotland's World Cup hopes hanging by a thread after a bruising 3-0 defeat. Steve Clarke's men finished third in Group C with three points and a goal difference of minus three, meaning their fate now rests on results elsewhere.
Thousands of fans who followed the team to the United States watched the match at a giant Fifa fan zone in Bayfront Park, while back home, supporters gathered at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, where the game was shown on a 20ft screen. Dario, from Hurlford, summed up the mood: "It's the worst I've ever seen Scotland play. We just didn't go for it." His friend George, from Irvine, added: "We're tired, deflated, gutted." Others tried to stay positive; Davie Beverage, from Dundee, said: "We waited 28 years to watch the team in a good World Cup and we're here. We're managing to enjoy it despite the score."
“Scotland lose 3-0 to Brazil, leaving qualification hopes on a knife-edge with an agonising wait for group stage results.”
Emotions ran so high that a furious Clarke stormed out of his post-match interview with the BBC. Asked how difficult the encounter had been, he snapped: "We made it difficult for ourselves, that's it." When pressed on Scotland's chances of progressing, he abruptly cut the interview short, tossing back a brief apology as he walked off: "Sorry, I don't even want to think about that."
Dejected captain Andy Robertson admitted to BBC Scotland: "The next couple of days is going to be horrible." The team will now return to their base in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they face a nervy wait until Sunday's conclusion of all group games. The qualifiers may not be confirmed until about 05:00 BST on Sunday.
According to statisticians, Scotland currently has a 49.2% chance of progressing. They need four teams to finish third with fewer than three points or a worse goal difference. But South Africa beating South Korea in Group A dented hopes, as South Korea are third with a goal difference of minus one. In Group D, Australia and Paraguay meet, and a draw would leave both on four points, ahead of Scotland. Only in Groups E and G are scenarios favourable for the Scots.
The Guardian described Scotland's tournament output as "pitiful", noting they have been outscored by Haiti, New Zealand, Iran and Cape Verde. Scott McTominay's header into Alisson's hands in the 50th minute was Scotland's first effort on target since John McGinn's deflected winner against Haiti. Clarke, handed a four-year contract extension before the tournament, now faces questions about what has been learned from two previous finals appearances.