Scotland were labelled fortunate after Brazil had a second goal controversially chalked off in the first half of their Group C showdown in Miami on Wednesday night. An error from Scott McKenna gifted Vinicius Junior the opener for the Selecao after just seven minutes, and the Real Madrid star believed he’d doubled the advantage after 23 minutes following another mistake.
Jack Hendry was dispossessed and Vini Jnr slotted his finish past Angus Gunn in the Scotland goal to send the Hard Rock Stadium into raptures. It left the Scots facing the growing possibility of yet another heartbreaking World Cup group stage elimination.
However, following a VAR review, Mexican referee Cesar Ramos controversially disallowed the strike. It was deemed that Vini Jr had fouled Hendry by placing his foot in front of the Al-Ettifaq defender before he attempted to make a pass.
Following the decision, the BBC consulted Darren Cann live during their coverage, with the former Premier League official stating Steve Clarke’s side were fortunate not to be trailing 2-0.
He said: “I think Scotland are a little fortunate to be honest. There is a little contact before the ball is played but I don’t really feel that it’s a foul by Vini Jr, he’s just holding his ground and the defender just kicks into him.
“I think it’s one Scotland will be decided with but they are a little fortunate to get the decision.”
Former Scotland international James McFadden was on co-commentary for his nation’s final group fixture in North America, and made it abundantly clear he disagreed with Cann. Reviewing the replays of the foul before the goal was chalked off, McFadden said: “He has [been fouled]. He has. Absolutely [a bullet dodged].
“He just catches him on the right leg as he’s going to play the ball, gets his foot in front of where Jack Hendry’s playing it.”
When asked if he then shared Cann’s view following the former official’s remarks, McFadden added: “No I don’t, I think it’s a foul. Whether it’s a slight contact or not, it’s a foul. When you see it back, clearly he’s caught as he’s in the action of kicking the ball which is enough to stop him playing the ball. He’s impeded.
“It’s a let-off and just another warning to say, at times, Brazil look like they don’t want to go and press until they decide they do and they go and force them mistakes and capitalise.
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“It’s a foul for me, he catches him and it’s the correct decision. It’s about time Scotland got a decision here.”
However, just as it seemed Scotland would reach the half-time interval trailing by only one goal in Miami, Vini Jnr netted a legitimate second as he nodded home from Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes’ delivery.
Andy Robertson was at fault for surrendering possession inside his own penalty area and Nathan Patterson lost track of his marker, while Angus Gunn also misjudged the flight of the ball, leaving Vini Jnr with a straightforward header into an unguarded net at the far post.
A defeat by two or more goals would leave Scotland anxiously sweating over their World Cup destiny.
And in the second period, Matheus Cunha made it three on the hour mark, to dent Scotland’s knockout hopes all the more.
Steve Clarke’s side are banking on progressing as one of the best third-placed teams, buoyed by their three points earned from a 1-0 victory over Haiti in their opening fixture.
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However, a 1-0 defeat to Morocco coupled with their result against Brazil leaves them with a negative goal difference that could yet deny them a place in the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history, depending on how results pan out elsewhere.
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