World Cup · Group Stage – 3
Season 2026/2027
● Tested by real SA players
Scotland
Brazil
The rivalry
Scotland v Brazil: four World Cups, no fairytale
Scotland have walked out against Brazil four times at a World Cup. Four times they have come home without a win. But these games gave the Tartan Army nights they still sing about.
It began in Frankfurt in 1974. Scotland chased every ball and held the side of Jairzinho and Rivelino to a 0-0 draw. A clean sheet against Brazil. The stands shook.
Seville, 1982, is the one everyone remembers. David Narey smashed Scotland in front on 19 minutes with a 20 yard drive, the famous toe poke. For a few mad minutes Scotland led the best team on earth. Then Brazil woke up. Zico, Oscar, Eder and Falcao answered with football from another planet. Brazil won 4-1, and somehow that Narey goal still feels like a trophy.
Turin, 1990, broke hearts. Scotland held on and on. Then late in the game a shot squirmed loose and Muller pounced from close range. 1-0 Brazil. So near, and gone.
Then Paris, 1998, the opening match of the whole World Cup, with a global audience watching. Cesar Sampaio headed Brazil ahead after four minutes. Scotland did not fold. John Collins kept his nerve from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 at the break. Then, on 74 minutes, a Cafu volley bounced in off Tom Boyd for an own goal. 2-1 Brazil. Heartbreak in the City of Light.
Ten meetings in all, and Scotland have never beaten them. The proudest nights stay that 1974 draw and a 1-1 friendly back in 1966. On 25/06/2026, the Tartan Army get one more swing at the impossible.
Match prediction
Starting eleven
-
1
Alisson
G -
13
Danilo
D -
4
Marquinhos
D -
3
Gabriel
D -
16
Douglas Santos
D -
8
Bruno Guimaraes
M -
5
Casemiro
M -
20
Lucas Paqueta
M -
26
Rayan
F -
9
M. Cunha
F -
7
Vinicius Junior
F
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
-
1
A. Gunn
G -
22
N. Patterson
D -
13
J. Hendry
D -
26
S. McKenna
D -
3
A. Robertson
D -
19
L. Ferguson
M -
23
K. McLean
M -
17
B. Gannon-Doak
M -
4
S. McTominay
M -
7
J. McGinn
M -
20
L. Shankland
F
The preview
Scotland need a result against the group favourites
Scotland go into their final Group C game knowing the math. They sit third on three points after a mixed start. John McGinn’s goal earned a 1-0 win over Haiti on 14/06/2026. Then a 1-0 loss to Morocco on 19/06/2026 left them needing more. A win over Brazil on 25/06/2026 would likely send them through. A draw might be enough, depending on how Morocco and Haiti get on at the same time.
Brazil are the team standing in the way. They top the group on four points. They drew 1-1 with Morocco in their opener, then beat Haiti 3-0. Matheus Cunha scored twice in that win and Vinícius Júnior added a third. Brazil look settled and may even rest players with top spot close to secured.
For Scotland, history is not on their side. They have never beaten Brazil. But this is their best chance in years to reach the last 16 of a World Cup. A famous result would change the mood of the whole campaign. The pressure is all on the men in dark blue.