Scotland have just a FIVE PERCENT chance of progression to the last 32 of the World Cup after a disastrous set of results following their 3-0 defeat by Brazil on Wednesday night.
Steve Clarke’s side were well beaten by the Selecao in Miami but still harboured hopes of reaching the knockout stages after securing a third-placed finish in Group C.
Victory over Haiti on matchday one followed by defeat against Morocco before the Brazil reverse meant they finished on three points.
However, the Scots look likely to rue not beating minnows Haiti by a greater scoreline with results since the full-time whistle against Brazil conspiring to leave their chances of progression hanging by a thread.
Unlikely victories for South Africa against South Korea and Ecuador against Germany mean that the third-placed teams in each of Groups A, B, D, E and F now have better overall records than Scotland.
After the Brazil game, stats boffins still had Scotland with a 42% chance of playing in the last 32. That has now reduced to just 5.26% – around one in 20.
Scotland are now relying on four of the third-placed teams from the remaining six groups having a worse overall record than their three points with a -3 goal difference to progress.
Their elimination could be confirmed as early as Saturday morning in the UK if all three groups go against them this evening, although a more likely scenario is having to wait another 24 hours before they are put out of their misery and on a flight home.
View 2 ImagesClarke gave a glum verdict on Scotland’s chance of progression(Image: Getty)
If Scotland do go out in the group stage, it will maintain their record of having never made it past the first round of any major tournament in history.
A glum Clarke gave a searingly honest verdict of his side’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages following the Brazil defeat.
“We made it difficult for ourselves, that’s it,” he told BBC Sport. “We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.
“It was unbelievable the shift the players put in, the ones 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.
“In the first four or five minutes we passed the ball well and then made a mistake. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and it becomes a long night.
“For sure I think we’re going home.”
Article continues below
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
from £4.50SkyGet the deal here
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.