The six World Cup results Scotland need to qualify for knockout stages | OneFootball

Scotland‘s World Cup hopes are on the brink after finishing third in Group C following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil - and their fate is out of their hands.

Steve Clarke’s side defeated Haiti in their opening match before a slim 1-0 loss to Morocco. A dispiriting defeat to Brazil left them with just three points and a goal difference of -3, as well as an agonising wait to determine if they’ll make it into the knockout rounds.

From 12 groups only the best eight third placed finishers will progress meaning Scotland need four teams to finish third with fewer than three points or a worse goal difference than them (-3) to qualify.

The Scots may not know their fate until the final group stage matches have been played meaning a wait until Sunday and the conclusion of Group J’s fixtures. South Africa’s victory over South Korea in Group A and Ecuador’s stunning triumph over Germany in Group E are already significant blows that have severely narrowed their route to the knockouts.

How can Scotland qualify for the knockout rounds?

Following their defeat to Brazil, Scotland’s progress to the next stage of the tournament – which would put them in the knockout rounds for the very first time – is out of their hands.

Over the next few days, certain results will need to fall in their favour in order for them to book a spot in the last-32, but what scenarios from each group will hand the Scots a place in the next stage of the competition? Scotland need at least four results to go their way.

Here is how the third-placed sides currently stand:

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Scott McKenna was caught in possession leading to Brazil’s opening goal (PA)

Friday 25 June

Fixtures

Norway vs France (Group I) – 8pm BST

Senegal vs Iraq (Group I) – 8pm BST

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Group H) - 1am BST

Uruguay vs Spain (Group H) – 1am BST

Egypt vs Iran (Group G) – 4am BST

New Zealand vs Belgium (Group G) – 4am BST

What Scotland need

In Group I, a draw between Senegal and Iraq would be the ideal result. Iraq would need to win 3-0 to qualify while for Senegal, even a one-goal win would be enough. Scotland require a draw between Senegal and Iraq, or a narrow Iraq win.

In Group H, while at least one of Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia are guaranteed to better Scotland’s total, a victory for Spain against Uruguay would result in the third-placed team only finishing on two points. Scotland require a Spain win.

Group G sees the crucial match played between Egypt v Iran. A win for Egypt means the team finishing third could have fewer than Scotland’s three points. Scotland require an Egypt win, as long as Belgium v New Zealand is not a draw.

Fixtures

Croatia vs Ghana (Group L) – 10pm BST

Panama vs England (Group L) – 10pm BST

Colombia vs Portugal (Group K) – 12.30am BST

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 12.30am BST

Algeria vs Austria (Group J) – 3am BST

Jordan vs Argentina (Group J) – 3am BST

What Scotland need:

In Group L, should Croatia earn a point or better against Ghana then the third-place finisher would have more points than Scotland. Scotland need Ghana to beat Croatia by three goals.

Group K sees DR Congo and Uzbekistan face off for third place. A draw would be ideal or a win for Uzbekistan by three or less goals, with the Asian side’s goal difference set at -7 after two games. If DR Congo win they will finish third with four points. Scotland need DR Congo to fail to win.

In Group J, Austria and Algeria sit second and third respectively and both have three points. Algeria have the worse goal difference heading into their meeting so Scotland need an Austria win, and by two goals or more. Alternatively, if Algeria win by four or more goals, it would leave Austria’s goal difference -4 or worse.

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Scotland fans now face a nervous wait to see if their side will qualify for the knockout rounds (Reuters)

Here are the full group stage standings:

There are still plenty of scenarios and results which will influence Scotland’s route through the knockout rounds should they get there. But, having finished third in Group C, they are set to face Group A winners Mexico in the last-32 in Mexico City.

If Steve Clarke’s men win that tie they could then face England in the round of 16, also in Mexico City, providing Thomas Tuchel’s men finish top of Group L and then defeat probable opponents DR Congo or Senegal in the last-32. If the Scots defeat their old enemy, then a rematch against Brazil could be on the cards otherwise they could face one of Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway in the quarter-finals as things stand.