Scotland's World Cup hopes hit by disastrous overnight results - what they now need to happen to reach last 32

After a 3-0 defeat by Brazil in Miami that left Scotland third in Group C with three points and a goal difference of -3, head coach Steve Clarke and his players headed back to their basecamp in Charlotte hoping that other teams could do them a favour.

However, their hopes suffered a major blow following a victory for Ecuador in Group E and draws for Sweden and Paraguay in Groups F and D respectively.

The Ecuadorians defied the odds against Germany, coming back from a goal down in New York to win 2-1. They had to prevail to catapult themselves into third place and netted ten minutes from time to clinch the victory, moving them on to four points.

Sweden’s 1-1 draw with Japan also leaves them third on four points, as does Paraguay’s goalless stalemate with Australia.

Scotland now sit eighth in the third-place standings with six groups still to be completed. Only two teams above them have games to play in Croatia and Algeria, who require either a point or a one-goal defeat to finish above the Scots.

Third-placed standings

Scotland could be officially eliminated by Saturday morning should Senegal defeat Iraq in Group I, Uruguay avoid defeat against Spain in Group H and Iran get a draw or beat Egypt in Group G.

The statistical chances of Scotland now progressing to the last 32 for the first time in their history have now dipped beneath 10 per cent and they appear set for more heartache at a major tournament.

Scotland now require four of the following six outcomes to happen to keep them in the World Cup:

Group G

Saturday, 4am: New Zealand v Belgium (Vancouver) and Egypt v Iran (Seattle).

What Scotland want: Egypt to beat Iran.

What Scotland don’t want: If Iran draw with Egypt, then the third-placed team is guaranteed to have three points with a goal difference of zero.

Group H

Saturday, 1am: Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia (Houston) and Uruguay v Spain (Zapopan)

What Scotland want: The key result here is Spain beating Uruguay. If that happens, the third-placed team is guaranteed to have two points.

What Scotland don’t want: If Uruguay avoid defeat against Spain then the third-placed team - either them or Cape Verde - would have three points and a goal difference of zero. A win for Uruguay and a victory for either Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia would leave the third-placed team on four points.

Group I

Friday, 8pm: Norway v France (Foxborough) and Senegal v Iraq (Toronto).

What Scotland want: France v Norway has no bearing on third. It’s all about Senegal v Iraq. Draw, please.

What Scotland don’t want: If Senegal win, they will be on three points with at worst, a goal difference of -2. A 3-0 Iraq win would also put them above Scotland.

Group J

Sunday, 3am: Algeria v Austria (Kansas City) and Jordan v Argentina (Arlington).

What Scotland want: Argentina will finish top and Jordan are bottom, so that match is inconsequential to this. Algeria v Austria, however, isn’t. The best outcome would be at least a two-goal Austrian win to leave Algeria on three points and a goal difference of -4 or worse. If Algeria win, it needs to be a six-goal defeat. But whatever happens, the third-placed team in this group will finish with at least three points.

Nightmare scenario: A draw, because it would leave Algeria in third on four points, or an Algeria win. As the last match of the group stages, both teams will have the advantage of knowing exactly what is required in the third-place battle ...

Group K

Sunday, 3am: Colombia v Portugal (Miami) and DR Congo v Uzbekistan (Atlanta)

What Scotland want: The game to watch from a Scottish perspective is DR Congo v Uzbekistan. A draw here is the most favourable outcome, as it would leave DR Congo in third on two points.

What Scotland don’t want: If DR Congo win, then the third-placed team in this group would have four points. An Uzbekistan win by four goals or more would move them into third on to three points and a goal difference of -3, having scored more than Scotland.

Group L

Saturday, 10pm: Panama v England (New Jersey) and Croatia v Ghana (Philadelphia).

What Scotland want: The third-placed team in this group is guaranteed to finish on three points. So from that perspective, Scotland want Ghana to win by three goals or more to leave Croatia with a poor goal difference. A Croatia win by five goals would also be okay.

What Scotland don’t want: A draw between Ghana and Croatia would leave the Croats in third on four points.