MIAMI — According to the report, the Tartan Army fell mostly silent by the second hydration break as the stadium band, joined by a bagpipe player, began echoing a Brazilian chant for Neymar. Scotland were 3-0 down by that stage and Vinícius Júnior had enjoyed the freedom of Miami.
The opener arrived after seven minutes when center back Scott McKenna delayed a pass out of defence, Rayan intercepted and Vinícius finished past goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Vinícius thought he had a second in the 22nd minute but VAR ruled the goal out for an alleged foul on Jack Hendry. Brazil then doubled before the interval when Matheus Cunha capitalised on a loose Scottish pass, Bruno Guimarães supplied a cross, Gunn and Nathan Patterson both failed to deal with it, and Vinícius headed home.
Steve Clarke replaced captain Andy Robertson with Kieran Tierney at halftime and Scotland briefly showed more life, Scott McTominay heading straight at Alisson. The contest was settled when Bruno Guimarães barged Kenny McLean off the ball and found Cunha, who finished neatly. The crowd chanted for Neymar throughout, and he was introduced in the 76th minute; by then the match was effectively over.
The result leaves Scotland’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread. According to the report, they now face four days reliant on other results to reach the round of 32; if they do advance it would be with a goal difference of minus three and having scored fewer goals than Haiti. Scotland’s tournament had begun with a 1-0 win over Haiti — their fifth ever World Cup victory — achieved with two shots on target, one being John McGinn’s deflected winner. Against Morocco they conceded after 70 seconds and managed no shots on target.
The report noted the Tartan Army had been one of the World Cup’s notable stories, drawing strong support in Boston and Miami — even prompting some pub owners to close when England fans arrived. On the field, Scotland were described as outmuscled and complacent in defence, with all three goals deemed preventable.
