Brazil will look to secure first place in Group C on Wednesday against a tough Scotland team. Brazil enters the match tied with Morocco at four points but with a better goal differential; Morocco will face Haiti—which has already been eliminated—at the same time.
Although the five-time champion heads into the final matchday as the leader—with a +3 goal difference compared to Morocco’s +1—it cannot afford to let its guard down against the European team, which has three points and still has a chance to finish in first place.
Ancelotti is preparing changes
Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will decide the fate of the Brazilian and Scottish teams starting at 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. GMT).
A stadium that Brazil hasn’t played in since a friendly against Colombia in 2019 that ended in a tie, and which is completely unfamiliar to the Scottish national team.
The “Canarinha” heads into this match with mixed feelings.
The convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti in the last game was marred by an injury to Raphinha.
This will keep him out of the World Cup at least until the round of 16.
In his absence, coach Carlo Ancelotti could call on Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, who has experience playing on the right despite being more comfortable on the left wing.
Neymar is back
Another option is Neymar, who could make his World Cup debut after sitting out the last month due to a calf injury.
Ancelotti confirmed that he will be available for the match.
Brazil is confident that “Ney’s” return—whether on the field or from the bench—will bring joy back to the team.
He hasn’t exactly made a brilliant impression so far in the tournament.
The lackluster draw against Morocco was followed by a strong first half against Haiti, in which they scored all three goals.
But they failed to score in a second half that called for more scoring chances (Filed under: Brazil vs. Scotland).
Scotland, Set to Make History
In Scotland, spirits aren’t much higher.
Given the team’s struggles to create chances with the ball against Haiti (1-0) and Morocco (0-1).
While a win would guarantee them at least second place in Group C and a draw would almost certainly see them advance as one of the best third-place teams, a loss would leave their fate in the hands of other groups.
Depending on the goal differential to sneak into the qualifiers.
Brazil cannot afford to underestimate the Europeans
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Like Brazil, several Scottish players are questionable due to injuries.
This is the case with Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, and Lewis Ferguson.
Scotland has never advanced past the group stage in the World Cup in its eight appearances.
Their record against Brazil doesn’t bode well either, as they haven’t won any of their ten matches against them.
The most recent official match between the two teams took place in the opening game of France 1998, when the “Canarinha” won 2–1 in what was Scotland’s last World Cup to date.
Probable Lineups
Scotland: Angus Gunn; Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendrey, Andy Robertson; John McGinn, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Che Adams.
Head Coach: Steve Clarke.
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá; Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, and Vinícius Júnior.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti.
Referee: César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos, from Mexico.
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (United States).
Time: 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. GMT).
With information from EFE
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