Scotland will aim to pull off perhaps the biggest result in their history as they bid to shock World Cup icons Brazil and qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament for the very first time.
It’s already been a memorable tournament off the pitch for the Tartan Army. And on it, despite defeat to Morocco last time out, Scotland’s opening victory against Haiti ensures their Group C fate is still in their hands.
Scotland have never beaten Brazil, but a first victory would take Steve Clarke’s side through to the last-32. A draw would also likely do it, while a narrow defeat, perhaps by one goal, may also be good enough for progress.
A Scotland defeat, however, would leave the Tartan Army with a nervy wait to see they will go through as one of the eight-best third-ranked teams, a quirk of the new 48-team format that has already brought some controversy.
Follow all the latest from Miami as Scotland face Brazil
Scotland v Brazil LIVE: Latest World Cup updates
- Scotland face Brazil with World Cup history on the line | Kick-off 11pm BST
- Scotland can qualify for knockouts for first time with win or draw in Miami
- But defeat to five-time World Cup winners would leave hopes in balance
- Team news: Gannon-Doak to return for Scotland? Neymar back for Brazil?
Carlo Ancelotti expecting a tough game against Scotland
17:26 , Jamie Braidwood
Carlo Ancelotti: “Scotland has quality. They are fighters, they are very well organised (Scott) McTominay and (John) McGinn are experienced players who are used to this kind of game. So it will be a difficult game, as usual. I think easy games in the World Cup finished a long time ago. So we are ready to play a difficult match."
Neymar back for Brazil, but how much of the game can he play?
17:04 , Jamie Braidwood
Neymar is available for Brazil's third World Cup group match against Scotland but coach Carlo Ancelotti declined to say if he would play a role in the Miami Stadium clash.
The 34-year-old forward was recalled the World Cup after almost three years away from the national team but has yet to play at the tournament because of a calf injury.
"Neymar is available," Ancelotti told reporters. "He worked this week and can be available for the match. We are very happy that he is back because, obviously, with his quality, he can help the team.
"I've really got to know him well. He has worked very seriously, trying to recover as quickly as possible. I'm very happy with him. Even if he doesn't play, he brings experience, he brings knowledge of the game, he helps the younger players. He is doing very well."
Asked how much of the match Neymar could play, Ancelotti joked: "He can play 90 minutes -- walking. No, he's fine, he worked very well, he trained very well."
What's your prediction for Scotland v Brazil?
16:42 , Jamie Braidwood
Last time out: Brazil beat Haiti, but lose star man to injury
16:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Matheus Cunha scored a brace to lead Brazil to a win over Haiti, but an injury to Raphinha could see the Manchester United man return to the wing sooner than he’d hoped.
Chris Wilson was in Philadelphia.
Cunha offers Brazil a striker solution, but injury may open up youngster’s path
Last time out: Scotland lose to Morocco but keep fate in their hands
16:08 , Jamie Braidwood
After Scotland’s joy and optimism from a party that spilt onto the streets of Bostok, Morocco delivered a sobering reality check in just 70 seconds to leave World Cup history still agonisingly out of reach.
Jack Rathborn was in Boston
Scotland face sobering reality after 70 seconds of World Cup regret
How are the top eight third place finishers determined?
15:51 , Jamie Braidwood
The top eight third place finishers will be decided on which teams have accumulated the most points.
Should eight or more nations finish third with the same number of points, the nations who progress will then be determined by goal difference.
In all likelihood, teams that finish third with four points or higher will go through, the teams on three points will need the best possible goal difference to progress.
What do Scotland and Brazil need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group C?
What do Brazil need to qualify?
15:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Avoiding defeat to Scotland will see Brazil reach this year’s knockout stages, and they’ll have a good shot at topping the group if they produce a high-scoring win, adding to the goal difference they racked up against Haiti.
If they lose - which would surely be the greatest result in Scotland’s history - the Selecao should still be in a good spot to progress as one of the eight-best third-placed teams, already on four points heading into the final outing. To keep their spot in the top two in this scenario, Brazil would require Morocco to lose to Haiti which is highly unlikely.
What if Scotland lose to Brazil?
15:17 , Jamie Braidwood
If Scotland lose, their World Cup fate will be in the balance. The good news for Scotland is they only lost 1-0 to Morocco. If they repeat the trick against Brazil and only lose by a one-goal margin, they will finish the group stage on three points and with a goal difference of -1. Based on previous editions of the European Championships that could be good enough to go through as one of the eight-best third-placed teams. But they would be right on the fence.
What do Scotland need to qualify?
15:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Let’s get the most optimistic but clear-cut scenario out of the way first. If Scotland beat Brazil, they’re into the knockouts, possibly as group winners if Morocco fail to beat Haiti. Dream big, Tartan Army.
A draw would almost certainly be enough for Scotland to qualify, as it would take them to the elusive four-point mark. This should put them among the eight best third-placed teams, who will progress to the round of 32 along with all top-two group finishers.
While three points and a positive goal difference is likely to be enough, four points is extremely likely to be enough, but Scotland would need to wait until later in the tournament for this to be confirmed; with several teams putting together a run of draws, there could be a number of teams in third with four points.
What is the Scotland team news?
15:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Scotland are sweating on the availability of Scott McKenna, Aaron Hickey and Lewis Ferguson, who all missed training at the weekend, while a question mark remains over the selection of Ben Gannon-Doak, who was brought on as a substitute against Morocco, to widespread surprise that he wasn’t a starter.
Does Steve Clarke give Gannon-Doak a start today to try and get some threat into his side?
Scotland v Brazil kick-off time and how to watch
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Scotland face Brazil at the Miami Stadium on Wednesday 24 June, with kick-off at 11pm BST. Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with coverage beginning at 10pm BST.
Good evening and welcome
15:00 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s a big one. Scotland face Brazil, the five-time winners and one of the giants of the World Cup, with a place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup still within reach.
Steve Clarke’s side could do it with a win in Miami, but a draw is also likely to be good enough. A defeat, unless it is a narrow one, would leave the Tartan Army looking for their calculators and would hand Scotland a lengthy wait before the group stages conclude.
