Scotland
Brazil
Scotland's first ever appearance in a World Cup knockout round is on the line at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, almost three decades since they last faced Brazil at this tournament. A win or a draw against the five-time champions would do it. Even a defeat might still be enough if results elsewhere go their way, though Steve Clarke's side will want to avoid anything heavy. Brazil, already through, are chasing top spot in Group C.
Scotland — The Tartan Army
Scotland have lost six and drawn two of their eight previous meetings with Brazil, including three World Cup group-stage defeats between 1982 and 1998, but Clarke felt his side were unlucky not to get something out of the 1-0 loss to Morocco, even without registering a shot on target. Angus Gunn continues in goal ahead of Craig Gordon, and the back five reunites Scott McKenna alongside Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry and the wing-backs Andy Robertson and Nathan Patterson, despite Hanley facing scrutiny after Morocco's goal.
John McGinn and Scott McTominay push on either side of Lewis Ferguson, who trained through fatigue this week, with Ben Gannon-Doak retained out wide and Che Adams leading the line ahead of Lawrence Shankland and Lyndon Dykes. Some reports expect Clarke to drop deeper still into a back four with Kieran Tierney involved, but the setup pencilled in here sticks with the five at the back that's carried Scotland this far.
Brazil — Selecao
Carlo Ancelotti hailed a "complete" performance after Brazil's 3-0 win over Haiti, a result that took the five-time champions to 41 World Cup matches with three or more goals, five clear of Germany in second on that list. Raphinha is out for the rest of the group stage with a hamstring injury picked up in that game, and the lineup here has 19-year-old Rayan continuing on the right in his place. Neymar has been cleared to feature after recovering from injury, but the front four stays as it was rather than handing him a recall, with Lucas Paqueta still in the number 10 role behind Vinicius Jr and Matheus Cunha.
The back four of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Douglas Santos protects Alisson, with Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes screening in front. Brazil's last three World Cup group-stage exits have all come on matchday three, including the shock loss to Cameroon in 2022, so Ancelotti won't be taking Scotland lightly despite the gulf in quality on paper.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Scotland's back five vs Vinicius Jr and Cunha. Scotland's whole game plan rests on staying compact and disciplined against a Brazil front line that tore Haiti apart. If Hanley, McKenna and Hendry can hold their shape and limit the space in behind, Scotland have a real chance of grinding out the point or even the win that would make history. One lapse against this attack, though, and it could unravel quickly.
Prediction
Brazil's attacking depth, even without Raphinha, should be too much for a Scotland side that's shown plenty of heart but precious little cutting edge of their own. Scotland's discipline could make this bumpier than the quality gap suggests, and there should be chances at the other end too, but Brazil's class should ultimately see them home.
Scotland 1–3 Brazil — Adams — Cunha, Vinicius Jr, Paqueta
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