“I think we’re going home” – Steve Clarke reacts with Scotland’s World Cup hopes on the brink following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil.
Scotland will be hoping for a miracle as they wait for the rest of the final round of group stage matches to play out.
Clarke’s side are currently sixth best third-place team as it stands, with only the top eight advancing through to the knockouts.
Scotland giving Brazil a helping hand, messy defensively, two goals from Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha with the third.
Despite the miserable result, the Tartan Army were still in full voice, keeping themselves entertained.
‘I think we’re going home’
Scotland manager Steve Clarke following their 3-0 defeat to Brazil leaving them on 3 pounds and -3 goal difference… pic.twitter.com/0I9ZZ5vQwq
— george (@StokeyyG2) June 25, 2026
Scotland’s Steve Clark said, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “We made it difficult for ourselves, that’s it.
“We gave them the goals, we gave them the game they wanted. Disappointing.”
On what’s to come, he added: “I don’t even think about that.”
He also said: “You see their quality in the final third of the pitch, we didn’t have that tonight.
“We created chances but it wasn’t enough. Let’s be honest the best team won.
“It was unbelievable the shift the players put in, the ones who played 90 minutes in that heat and humidity were outstanding but we have to be better if we want to compete at this level.
“In the first four or five minutes we passed the ball well and then made a mistake. You cannot do that at this level because it puts you on the back foot and it becomes a long night
“For sure I think we’re going home.
“Only Scotland can get a winnable first game and then get number five and number six in the world.”
Scotland’s John McGinn said to BBC One: “Gutted obviously. 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 tonight but we gave it absolutely everything. The lads are empty now.
“It’s unlikely [to qualify] but we’ll wait and see.
“In moments they [Brazil] hurt you. They allowed us to have the ball and at this level if you make mistakes you get punished. We probably were fortunate to have the [second] goal disallowed.
“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.”
Scotland’s Kenny McLean told BBC Scotland: “It was disappointing – the result, the manner of the result.
“The fact we’ve given the goals away makes it even more disappointing.
‘We worked on structure and the way we wanted to be off the ball, to try and control where they had the ball.
“We did it for large spells, but when you give the opposition opportunities like that, it’s going to be tough.
“It happens, there’s no blame attached to any individual. We can all do more.
“Unfortunately, the first falls to their player, and I think there’s a little bit of anxiety and nerves throughout the team after that.
“We dug deep, we fought, we gave everything, we came up against a really good team and got punished again.
“It’s going to be really tough [waiting to see if Scotland advance]. Everything is out of our control, unfortunately.
“We’ve not done enough ourselves, now we need to rely on others, which is not a nice feeling, but it’s the position we’ve put ourselves in, and we need to keep our fingers crossed.”
Scotland’s Andy Robertson to BBC Scotland: “Making mistakes. We started the game well, we pushed up the pitch, they maybe put us in a false sense of security. We had time on the ball and then got punished. We’re just off the pitch but the initial reaction is just one of frustration.
“At times we were comfortable on the ball, at times we got ourselves in dangerous areas, but at this stage, against these teams, we can’t afford to make the mistakes we made.
“We played some nice stuff, then you go and get beat 3-0. A frustrating night but I suppose we’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
On the chances of the Scots qualifying to the round of 32, he adds: “Time will tell.
“As a collective we didn’t want to put ourselves in a position where we have to watch every team and hope this team score or that team score.
“Time will tell, maybe we’ll get another shot at it. The next couple of days are going to be long and horrible, but we put ourselves in this position.”
Fans had plenty to say after Steve Clarke reacts with “I think we’re going home” as Scotland’s World Cup hopes are on the brink…
add it too the list 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ly5wrVDGiB
— Harry (@harryntfc_) June 25, 2026
@A5393971357963: Sack Clarke I beg. Can’t handle 4 more years of this pish
@Don_DeRossi: Well done clarke embarrassing stuff 6 mins to go you bring on players to try and score a goal some of these wee countries have put us to shame get us on the plane cos we don’t deserve to be there.
@sellickminded67: Another pathetic showing at a tournament. 5 shots on target over 3 games. Scored less than Haiti, Jordan and Cape Verde. Serious questions asked of the manager at this level. Even if we sneak through, it will be a total embarrassment, sooner we’re out the better.
@RangersTruth: We waited 28 years just for Steve Clarke to play the most negative football in the tournament, his stubborn tactics and player selection costing us. Andy Robertson has shown no reason for him to be captain and McTominay went missing. Sack Steve Clarke. Now.
@Jack67cfc: Fucking pathetic, you have let the country down in every aspect no pride no fight not even one ounce of bravery, don’t bother coming back to Scotland you’ve utterly failed us, fuck off.
@buchan_jak29748: Absolute embarrassment of a manager. Haiti was the game we should’ve been licking our lips at. We win by an own goal and do fuck all else the rest of the tournament.
@XXJackksterXx:
Scraped past Haiti.
Set up wrong against Morocco. Lost.
Set up with the best squad possible. We just shit the bed.
What’s the fucking point.
@andy_cov93: 28 years. Twenty eight years. To score ONE goal, against Haiti. There was 32 teams in the entire tournament last time, this time 32 teams go through from the groups. 32 teams, not Scotland 😂😂😂😂
@rw2711: We deserve to be away back home. Absolutely rotten decision making for the first two goals which will cost us dearly. Once again, we get to the main stage, and we’re absolute recluses.
@dillonjahn: Fucking pathetic from everyone tonight. Couldn’t even do the basics right. No one steps up when it comes to these big games. Will actually be a bit embarrassing if we sneak through to the Round of 32 🤦♂️ #SCOBRA #Scotland #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCup
@GKerr9905: We don’t deserve to go through and if we do we’ll embarrass ourselves again. Clarke takes the brunt but again our big players shit themselves and hide behind Clarke
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