Scotland finished third in Group C on 24 June after losing 0-3 to Brazil, ending on 3 points at minus three. Their record read one win and two defeats: a 1-0 victory over Haiti on 13 June, then losses to Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on matchday three. Coach Steve Clarke was blunt afterwards, telling reporters, "Think we're heading home," and adding, "we gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted."
Scotland's hopes now rest on others. Under the 48-team format, the eight best of the twelve third-placed teams fill the remaining knockout berths, so their fate depends on how other groups finish rather than anything they can still do. The sports-data firm Opta puts their chance of qualifying as one of those eight below 50 per cent.
The odds shortened on the day itself. Seven teams had already been confirmed in the round of 32 , and South Africa's win lifted a rival above Scotland in the third-place table. Clarke's side can only watch the final groups play out.
