Scotland’s dreams of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time have been dashed after Brazil snubbed them in Miami, but Bosnia and Herzegovina made history and Haiti signed off on defeat on a day full of North American influence.
Beating the five-time champions was always a long shot, but Steve Clarke’s side needed to draw, or not lose too badly, to have a chance of progressing to the last 32. A 3-0 loss didn’t immediately end that hope, but it will take a miracle for a minus-three goal difference to not be bad in the race for one of the top eight spots.
Morocco, for its part, beat Haiti 4-2 to finish level on points with Brazil in Group C, and as it stands, the two will play Japan and the Netherlands respectively in the next round.
Earlier, Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Canada ensured they won Group B, while Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 3-1 win over Qatar all but allowed them to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in the team’s history.
Group A still needs a fix this morning, with South Africa taking on South Korea in Guadalupe, and the Czech Republic taking on table-toppers Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Both matches will start at 9 pm.
But that’s all for later. By now, Scotland fans will be drowning their sorrows, Canada is planning a trip to Los Angeles, and supporters of Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, are rejoicing after a job well done while most of you were asleep.
