What Scotland need to end barren World Cup knockout stages wait | Football | Sport

Scotland’s dream of progressing to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history remains alive. Steve Clarke’s men now find themselves outside the top eight in the third-placed standings, but are not through the trap door just yet.

Beginning with Group J, they require Austria to defeat Algeria by a minimum of two goals. Such a result would see the north Africans slip beneath Scotland in the standings, consequently lifting Clarke’s side up the order.

Additionally, they require Uzbekistan to either defeat or draw with DR Congo, an outcome which, on paper, appears achievable. Beyond this, they also require Ghana to beat Croatia by three goals.

Should all these results materialise, Scotland will climb to eighth in the standings and secure their spot in the round of 32. It represents a sequence of events akin to a high-stakes football accumulator, yet these are Scotland’s final hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Optimism is in short supply among the Scotland players, however. Following the defeat, John McGinn conceded that he believes their tournament is over rather than progressing to the knockout rounds.

The Aston Villa midfielder said: “We lose poor goals at poor times against a team that can punish you with quality. We had a few chances but we’ve got to wait now.

“The lads are gutted, we fell short on quality but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now. It’s unlikely [that we qualify] but we’ll wait and see.

“It’s a bit raw at the minute but we appreciate the support of the fans, we know it’s difficult to be there. Hopefully the journey is not over and if we have to go again, we will go again.”