Scotland’s last 32 dream handed shot in the arm thanks to Cape Verde’s historic World Cup draw

Playing in their first-ever World Cup, the African nation backed up their memorable 0-0 draw with European champions Spain last week by securing a deserved 2-2 draw with Uruguay. Taking the lead through Kevin Pina’s outrageous long-range free kick in the 21st minute, the Krasnodar midfielder made history by scoring his nation’s debut goal at the tournament.

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However, two goals in quick succession from Ronald Araujo and Agustín Canobbio just before the half-time break put Marcelo Bielsa’s side in the driving seat at the Hard Rock Stadium, where Scotland will face Brazil this week, as they searched for the win that would seal their own spot in the knockout stages.

Cape Verde were not to be denied, though, and pulled themselves level shortly after the hour mark when Helio Verela capitalised on a major defensive mix-up between Mathias Olivera and Fernando Muslera to fire into an empty net. The result means that both Uruguay and Cape Verde head into their final Group H fixture later this week on two points each. Spain top the group on four points after their 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, who prop up the group table on just one point.

While the result leaves both sides with a chance of making the knockouts, it also has permutations for Scotland’s hopes of making the knockouts. Steve Clarke’s side head into the final Group C game against Brazil this Wednesday with a major chance of making the last 32 of the World Cup for the first time in their history, with third place in the group already sealed after picking up three points from their first two games.

While Scotland’s destiny remains in their hands, with victory guaranteeing them a path to the next stage of the competition, the 2-2 draw between Uruguay and Cape Verde in the early hours of Sunday morning has significantly helped their chances of reaching the knockout stages under the tournament's new expanded 48-team format, even with a defeat against Brazil.

Of the 48 teams involved, 16 will be eliminated at the group stage, and 32 nations will progress. The top two teams in each of the 12 groups will advance to the last 32 automatically, while the third-placed teams will be placed into a league table of sorts. From those 12 third-placed teams, only eight will qualify, with the other four eliminated.

To determine who qualifies for the round of 32, the 12 nations will be ranked by their group-stage results. The top eight teams will move on to the next stage of the World Cup, and the bottom four will be eliminated from the tournament. Scotland are currently in second place in the third-place table, level on points with Sweden at the top.

However, their chances of qualifying for the next stage were significantly boosted by Uruguay’s 2-2 draw with Cape Verde. The draw meant both teams are tied for second and third in Group H with just two points each. Uruguay now face pre-tournament favourites Spain in the final group fixture, while Cape Verde faces Saudi Arabia, who are on one point.

Should Spain beat Uruguay on Saturday, it would guarantee the third place team finishes on fewer than three points in Group H. Meanwhile, Scotland already has three points in the bag in Group C after their 1-0 opening game win vs Haiti. This would put Scotland ahead of Group H's third-place team in the standings, maximising their safety net.