Scotland are on the brink of elimination from the World Cup – but there is still a glimmer of hope for Steve Clarke’s side.
Just one win from three World Cup games – capped off by a dismal 3-0 loss to Brazil – means the Tartan Army are waiting with agony to see if they have enough points and sufficient goal difference to qualify as one of the eight third-placed teams.
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Steve Clarke admits Scotland are on the brink of a World Cup exit after a harming 3-0 loss to Brazil in Miami
But already, results have not gone Scotland’s way. Wins for South Africa and Ecuador pushed Scotland further into the mire, while Japan failed to beat Sweden by four goals. The draw between Paraguay and Australia didn’t do them any favours either.
It means Scotland sit in eighth – the final spot – of the third-placed sides looking to qualify for the round of 32, with Opta now giving them just a 5.26 per cent of making the last 32.
The group stage still has matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to play. But while Scotland sit in eighth, there are scenarios that could help them stay in eighth place – or move up the table.
There are six scenarios remaining which could help Scotland, with Steve Clarke’s side needing four of them to go their way. Here they are:
Group I: Senegal vs Iraq, Friday, 8pm
Scotland need Senegal to fail to beat Iraq. If Iraq claim victory, Scotland will be hoping they do not win by three or more, or Steve Clarke’s side would be overtaken.
Group H: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, Uruguay vs Spain, Saturday, 1am
Scotland need Spain to beat Uruguay. Plain and simple. That would mean Marcelo Bielsa’s side would finish third on two points, and be behind Scotland in the third-place table – no matter what.
Group G: Egypt vs Iran, Saturday, 4am
As with Group H, the team in third could be on just two points if Egypt win against Iran. That result would mean third spot has two points no matter what happens in the other game.
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Alan Shearer and Gordon Ramsay discuss Scotland’s World Cup defeat to Brazil on The Rest is Football
Group L: Croatia vs Ghana, Saturday, 10pm
Scotland need Ghana to beat current third-placed side Croatia by at least three goals, so that the Croatians have the same points tally as Scotland and a worse goal difference.
Group K: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, Sunday, 12.30pm
Scotland need Uzbekistan to win or draw against DR Congo. If Uzbekistan win, they cannot do so by four or more goals, or they would go ahead of Scotland.
Group J: Algeria vs Austria, Sunday, 3am
Scotland need Austria to win by two or more goals to push Algeria behind Scotland on goal difference in the third-place table.
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