Despite losing 3-0 to Brazil, Scotland still had a good chance of reaching the World Cup finals, but now they face a very real possibility of an early return home.
Scotland is likely to be eliminated from the World Cup group stage (Image: Getty Images)
Scotland have just a 5 per cent chance of reaching the last 32 at the World Cup following their disastrous 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Wednesday night.
Steve Clarke’s side suffered a heavy defeat to the Selecao in Miami, but secured a third place finish in Group C and remained hopeful of progressing to the knockout stages.
After winning against Haiti in the first round and then losing to Morocco, Brazil came back from behind to earn three points.
But the Scots are likely to regret failing to get a result and beat Haiti by a big scoreline, having conspired to keep their chances of progressing hanging in the balance since the full-time whistle against Brazil.
South Africa’s chances of defeating South Korea and Ecuador’s defeat of Germany are unlikely, meaning the third-place teams in Groups A, B, D, E and F will have a better overall result than Scotland.
Post-match statistics showed Scotland still had a 42% chance of making it to the last 32, but that chance has now fallen to just 5.26%, or around one in 20.
Scotland are currently relying on four of the third-placed teams in the remaining six groups to progress, with their overall results worse than three points and a -3 goal difference.
If all three groups turn against them tonight, their removal could be confirmed in Britain as early as Saturday morning, but the more likely scenario is that they will have to wait another 24 hours to put themselves out of their misery and board a flight home.
Manager Clarke gave a pessimistic verdict on Scotland’s chances of progress (Image: Getty)
If Scotland are eliminated in the group stage, they will maintain their record of never making it past the opening round in a major competition.
A sombre Clarke gave a brutally honest verdict on his team’s hopes of reaching the finals after Brazil’s defeat.
“We made things difficult for ourselves, that’s all,” he told BBC Sport. “We gave them a goal and gave them the game they wanted. It’s disappointing.
“The shifts the players put in were unbelievable and the players who played 90 minutes in that heat and humidity were outstanding, but we have to be better if we want to compete at this level.
“We passed the ball well in the first four or five minutes, but then we made mistakes. You can’t do that at this level because you’re behind and it’s going to be a long night.
“Sure, I think I’ll go home.”
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