Steve Clarkes Key Decisions As Scotland Prepare For World Cup Clash With Brazil

Scotland face Brazil in their final World Cup Group C game in Miami on Wednesday night with qualification for the group stages for the first time still in their hands.

SteveClarke’sside have three points from two fixtures, one point behind Morocco and Brazil, and while an opening victory against Caribbean minnows Haiti may be enough to get through to the last 32, a point will all-but secure qualification, with victory guaranteeing it.

Here, the Press Association looks at the decisions the Scotland boss has to make when he picks a side to take on arguably the world’s most glamorous opponents.

Approach

How doesClarkeset out his team to play against Brazil, a top-10 ranked team? With one goal scored and one conceded, a point should be enough to qualify. However, a narrow defeat, depending on other results, could still see the Scots get through, which might, even subconsciously, affect Scotland’s approach, certainly as the game unfolds.

Tactics

After playing Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams as a twin strike force in the 1-0 win over Haiti,Clarkeopted to start with just one out-and-out striker in Adams against Morocco. Kieran Tierney was installed in left midfield in front of Andy Robertson to close down Morocco skipper Achraf Hakimi. However, the ploy never really worked, not helped by the loss of the early goal which left the Scots out of sorts for most of the first half.Clarkesaid in his post-match media conference that he will likely tweak again against Brazil. Tierney is unlikely to be asked to fulfil the same role, if picked.

The quest for goals

As ever, Scotland need someone to find the net.Clarkedropped Shankland and played Adams as a lone striker against Morocco. The tireless Lyndon Dykes did well to disrupt the Morocco defence when he came on in the second half, while Ross Stewart was introduced very late in the game, restricting his ability to make an impact. Ultimately, Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou did not have a shot worthy of the name to save. The Scots do not usually produce a barrowload of chances and no doubt opportunities will be few and far between against Brazil. Shankland is the most natural finisher in the squad but is behind Adams and Dykes in the pecking order. Whoever gets the nod or comes on later, will have to try to make the difference even if they have to feed off scraps.

Ben Gannon-Doak

The 20-year-old Bournemouth winger is generally recognised to be one of the most innovative players inClarke’ssquad. After a good performance against Haiti, he was dropped for Morocco. As expected he was brought on after the break to help turn the tide towards Scotland. He made an impact by driving at the Moroccan defence. He is undoubtedly the one player who can get Scotland up the pitch but ifClarkeopts to play with wing-backs against Brazil, Gannon-Doak is likely to be asked again to be a game-changer off the bench.

Published: 21/06/2026 by Radio NewsHub