The Tartan Army out in Miami were left gutted after we fell to defeat against Brazil – but the defiant support have declared: “The party must go on!”
Fans who have made the trip across were left disappointed as the full-time whistle blew at the Hard Rock Stadium, with the result meaning we now have to rely on other results if we are to get through a group for the first time ever.
Our supporters had their heads in their hands early in the game again as Vinicius Junior opened the scoring after a Scott McKenna mistake at the back.
One dad had to console his crying child after Vinicius bagged a second quickly after, but the little lad was cheering moments later when VAR spotted a foul on Jack Hendry in the build up.
Our hopeful fans were out of their seats as we tried to force an equaliser, but we were left dejected again when Vinicius headed in a second on the stroke of half time, this one being allowed to count.
The fans were left groaning again, though, on 60 minutes when Matheus Cunha netted Brazil’s third.
The 3-0 drubbing was the worst possible scenario for our fans as we now face an agonising wait to see if our three points and -3 goal difference will be enough to see us through.
While it felt like a missed opportunity, our supporters believe we have still done enough to qualify – and they weren’t feeling too disheartened as they quickly headed off for some post-match beers.
Edinburgh lads Chris Jones, a 27-year-old software engineer, James Wilson, who is 27 and works in sports media, and Greg Young, a 28-year-old working in IT, weren’t even born the last time we qualified for a World Cup – and they’re just happy to be here.
Chris said: “Miami has been good, we’ve loved it so far. We had high-hopes going into the game, but now it’s just a case of drowning our sorrows. It’s the first time our lifetime to be here at a World Cup, so we’re just here enjoying the amazing atmosphere. We’re just here to enjoy ourselves.”
James said: “We’ve been loving it here. We went to a party down at South Beach then headed on a party boat on Tuesday night.
View 7 ImagesGreg, James, and Chris weren’t born during France 98 but were happy to be in Miami, despite the result(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“I was fortunate enough to get a ticket through the Tartan Army. Some of us got tickets and some didn’t. It’s disappointing obviously, but just to be here has been amazing for everybody.”
Elsewhere, Ross Worton, 27, who works in IT, Lewis Ross, a 29-year-old civil servant, and Ross Pratt, 27 and working in IT, have also travelled over from the capital. The trio watched the drama unfold at a huge watch party at The Clevelander down at South Beach.
Ross said: “We weren’t able to get tickets so we watched here instead but it was a great atmosphere. We were on the boat cruise last night too.
View 7 ImagesLewis Ross (centre) says they will keep partying despite Scotland facing another early exit(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Lewis added: “Listen, we’re always going to have a good time. We’re going to keep partying – regardless of the result.”
James Ferrie, a 40-year-old train driver from Dundee, watched the game at the fan zone with his family.
He told the Record: “We had a brilliant time in Miami regardless and we had a great laugh on the booze cruise too. We watched the game from the fan zone. We couldn’t get tickets so we decided to watch it there. The atmosphere was great.”
View 7 ImagesJames Ferrie (L) and his family are confident other results will still see Scotland through(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Meanwhile, Calvin Hutchison, a 31-year-old welder, Sean Dalgarno, a 30-year-old CNC machinist, Stewart Turriff, a 29-year-old sub sea engineer, Connor Mitchell, who is 30 and also a sub sea engineer, and Shivon McReynolds, who is 28 and works in HR, were all lucky enough to have tickets for the game.
They have all travelled over from Montrose, and Calvin said: “We just landed on Tuesday. We went to the second game in Boston then came down here for this one – it’s absolutely roasting. We’re not letting this ruin the trip. We’re still going to keep on partying.”
Shivon added: “We’ve still had such a good time. It’s been very hot, but it’s been brilliant. Everyone has been so lovely. Everyone just loves Scotland, which is amazing.”
View 7 ImagesCalvin Hutchison (L) says they will keep on partying(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Also at the match was Lynda Roddie, a 69-year-old housewife from Glasgow, her husband Bobby, 70, who owns a maintenance company, their son Robert, who is a football coach for woman’s team Georgia Impact now living in Atlanta with his wife Lauren, 37.
Robert said: “The atmosphere has been quality. We would think you were still in Scotland – a sunny version of it at least. There’s been Scotland fans everywhere. It’s been magic.”
View 7 ImagesThe Roddies were at the match and are looking forward to continuing the party(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Bobby added: “We had already made plans for a party before the game even kicked off – No Scotland, No Party!
“Before we left the hotel staff said, ‘You need to come back here after the game, no matter what the result is’. We were always going to be partying whatever happened.”
Meanwhile, Iain Maguire, a 52-year-old offshore electrician, Keith Hodge, who is 52 and works for HMRC, and retired police officer Keith Mackay, have travelled over from Loanhead, in Midlothian.
The trio held up a flag in tribute to their friend “Wee Thompson” who they had hoped would be out in Miami with them, but sadly passed away recently following a battle with cancer.
View 7 ImagesIain Maguire, Keith Hodge, and Keith Mackay were thinking of their late pal(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
An emotional Keith Mackay said: “Wee Thomson was supposed to be with us but sadly he couldn’t make it. We are here paying tribute to him. Despite the result, the atmosphere in the fan zone was brilliant.”
Iain added: “I think we were poor against Morocco, we had nothing to lose here so we should have gone for it. If you look at the last two Euros we were absolutely awful. So it’s really disappointing.
“But we’ve had a brilliant time in Miami. It’s been fantastic. The people have been really friendly. We’ve loved it.”
Earlier in the night, thousands of Scotland and Brazil fans stood in long queues to enter the fan zone at Bayfront Park. As the kick-off approached at 6pm local time, many were still waiting to enter with the amphitheatre area at capacity.
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Unlike in Boston, the Scots were almost outnumbered by the rival side, with around a 50/50 split of Brazilians and Tartan Army in attendance.
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