Scotland 0 Brazil 3: Scots on verge of World Cup exit after devastating defeat as Neymar finally plays

NO SCOTLAND, no party? There really was a carnival here in Miami tonight, but fans wearing the yellow of Brazil rather than kilts were loving every minute of this. The Tartan Army’s thirst for fun and frolics has seemingly forever ingratiated them into the hearts of American fans. But here at the home of the Miami Dolphins, the stands were a sea of Brazilian shirts singing all the way home as a double from starman Vinicius Junior – both from appalling Scottish defensive errors – and a classy Matheus Cunha strike put the sorry Scots to the sword. Carlo Ancelotti’s Samba stars are into the knock-out rounds. They are just warming up and although this is anything but the electric, scintillating Brazilian sides of yesteryear, only a fool would rule them out of going very deep into this tournament. READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP Scotland and their brilliant fans however, now face a week of gruelling uncertainty before finding out if their World Cup dream has died once and for all. As it stands, Steve Clarke’s boys have squeezed into the business end of this World Cup for the very first time. Yes, things could change drastically as the remaining group games conclude. But on this evidence, whoever they play next will be licking their lips in anticipation. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS Third-place table after June 24 matches - Bosnia & Herzegovina: 4 points, GD -1 - Sweden: 3 points, GD 0 - Croatia: 3 points, GD -1 - South Korea: 3 points, GD -1 - Algeria: 3 points, GD -2 - Paraguay: 3 points, GD -2 - Scotland: 3 points, GD -3 - Cape Verde: 2 points, GD 0 - Belgium: 2 points, GD 0 - DR Congo: 1 point, GD -1 - Ecuador: 1 point, GD -1 - Senegal: 0 points, GD -3 The top eight third-placed teams progress to the last 32 World Cup 2026 - all the info LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize. England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought. But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance. SunSport have got everything you need for the huge tournament LATEST NEWS - England ‘incredibly lucky’ not to concede penalty says former ref - England star snubs handshake with Partey - Bellingham shouts ‘f*** you’ in row with Ghana bench - Deschamps leaves World Cup after mother’s death KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Blunt in attack and woeful at the back, Scotland are living on a prayer. South Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations for South Americans, with tens of thousands living in Miami. Some of their favourite sons were watching from the stands – Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Kaka were all cheering Ancelotti’s men on. Sir David Beckham, taking a well-earned break from his incredible list of sponsorship obligations here, was also in attendance. Scotland actually started well. They looked composed and comfortable. But on seven minutes, disaster struck, as a defensive howler put them on the back foot against the five-time World Cup winners. Scott McKenna, instead of smacking the ball clear, tried to play a pass across the box, but his heavy touch allowed Bournemouth flier Rayan to intercept and the ball fell to Vinicius. His first touch rounded Angus Gunn before rolling into an empty net. It was a nightmare start for Clarke’s men. The Scotland boss had pleased the millions back home by attacking the Samba stars with a positive-looking line-up. Yet defensive frailties were their undoing. There was almost heartbreaking deja vu for the Scots on 23 minutes, when Real Madrid ace Vinicius appeared to rob Jack Hendry before slotting home. But VAR judged the Brazil striker had fouled Hendry when trying to play the ball. It was a marginal call – and an absolutely massive let-off. Brazil predictably bossed possession yet Gunn wasn’t forced into any notable saves. The hydration break was actually a perfect time for the Scots to regroup and the following passage of play finally saw some life injected into their attacking play. Spaces were opening up, especially down Brazil’s left. Problem was, Scotland, for all their effort, blood, sweat, and tears, just couldn’t hold the ball long enough. When they did have it, the end product was zero. And on the stroke of half-time, another mind-numbing, self-inflicted mistake allowed Vinicius to bag his second. Andy Robertson’s woeful pass on the edge of the area was picked up by Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, and his cross totally eluded a flapping Gunn, allowing Vinicius to nod home from three yards. The Scotland skipper, seemingly crocked, was replaced by Kieran Tierney but would have been boosted on the sidelines with his boys putting up a far better fight in the second half. Scott McTominay, who was pretty anonymous here, had a header that went straight at Alisson. But on the hour mark, there was more Scottish pain. Guimaraes tore through the middle and coolly laid the ball off to Manchester United’s Cunha who expertly made it three. McTominay forced Alisson into a great stop soon after, yet all of a sudden, the live table made grim reading for the Scots. A goal would have helped their cause considerably. It barely looked like coming – Lawrence Shankland worked tirelessly with no service – although the new Rangers man did have a header loop over the bar on 76 minutes. Moments later, Neymar made his first appearance of the World Cup. The thousands of Brazil fans rose to their feet to welcome the veteran who helped the Samba boys ease home. Their tournament journey continues. For the Tartan Army, judgement day won’t arrive until Saturday when the race for best third-placed finishes is concluded. But they suffered an extra blow with South Africa recording a shock 1-0 win over South Korea to go through to the knockouts in second place in Group A – their first-ever progression beyond the groups. That dropped South Korea into third on three points and a goal difference of zero. It’s going to be a long few days.