Overview
Scotland will enter the final match of Group C of the 2026 World Cup with the goal of making history when facing Brazil in Miami.
Just getting one more point, coach Steve Clarke's team is almost certain to get through the World Cup group stage for the first time. Even a minimal defeat could be enough to help Scotland reach the knockout round.
After a 1-0 victory over Haiti in the opening match, Scotland lost to Morocco with a similar score in the second match. However, the opportunity to advance is still entirely in Scotland's hands.
The current Scottish squad has more experience than any previous generation. In the match against Morocco, Steve Clarke's starting lineup had a total of 609 appearances for the national team - the highest number in Scottish football history.
However, the history of confrontations with South American representatives does not stand on their side. Scotland has never beaten a South American team at the World Cup, with a record of two draws and six defeats.
Including four meetings with Brazil. After a 0-0 draw in 1974, Scotland lost to the Selecao at the 1982, 1990 and 1998 World Cups.
On the other side of the battle line, Brazil is leading Group C after a draw with Morocco and a 3-0 victory over Haiti.
Matheus Cunha scored a double, while Vinicius Junior continued to make his mark to help Selecao increase the total number of goals in World Cups to 241, equaling Germany's all-time scoring record.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is building an experienced team. Brazil's starting lineup against Haiti has an average age of over 30, their oldest at the World Cup since the 1962 final.
However, Selecao still possesses notable young factors. Rayan and Endrick were both brought on from the bench in the match against Haiti, becoming the two youngest players to wear the Brazil jersey at the World Cup in more than half a century.
In the context of Raphinha's injury, the responsibility for creativity in attack is placed on Vinicius Junior's shoulders. The Real Madrid star has directly participated in 6 goals in the last 5 international matches, including three goals and three assists.
In addition, Neymar has also recovered from injury and is ready to reappear. Interestingly, his first double in Brazil was scored against Scotland nearly 15 years ago.
On the Scottish side, Ben Doak is expected to bring breakthroughs with speed and the ability to make a difference on both wings. Meanwhile, Lewis Ferguson continues to be the mainstay in midfield when leading the team in the number of tackles, interceptions and successful tackles in this year's tournament.
Head-to-head record
The clash in Miami will be the fifth time Brazil and Scotland have met at the World Cup, only behind Argentina - Netherlands (6 times) in the number of encounters at the tournament since 1974.
Since the goalless draw in 1974, Brazil has won all three subsequent encounters with Scotland at the World Cup, with scores of 4-1 (1982), 1-0 (1990) and 2-1 (1998), respectively.
Score prediction: Scotland 1-3 Brazil
The match between Scotland and Brazil takes place at 5:00 a.m. on June 25 (Vietnam time).
