Tartan party over? Brazil humbling forces Scotland into nervous World Cup wait - ESPN

MIAMI — In the second hydration break, the Tartan Army stood largely silent. The stadium's band, complete with bagpipe player, joined in the song Brazil's fans had been singing for the previous 10 minutes. It wasn't what we'd heard on Boston's streets and Miami's beaches about how super John McGinn is, or how there's no party without Scotland. This one was about Neymar. It was Brazil's party now.

The bagpipe player cajoled the Brazilian fans along, as they chanted for their prodigal son to be given a chance. By that point, Scotland were 3-0 down, their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, and Vinícius Júnior had enjoyed the freedom of Miami. Then came Neymar.

Neymar finally got his chance in the 76th minute. The match was essentially over. As it dragged to to the end, Scotland madly tried to reduce the deficit and enhance their chances of making the knockout stages, but they couldn't get themselves out of the mess they created.

Scotland were their own worst enemy — outmuscled and complacent on defense, with Brazil merciless. All three goals conceded were preventable. Scotland talked for so long about having no regrets at this World Cup and how they so badly wanted to become their first men's team to make the knockout stages of the tournament. That could yet still happen, but Scotland now face four days of purgatory, reliant on other results going their way if they are to book a spot in the round of 32.

If they do edge through, then it will be with a goal difference of minus-3, and having scored fewer goals than Haiti. That's not the way they envisioned making history.

The Tartan Army have been one of the wonderful stories of the World Cup. Boston fell in love with them, to the extent that when England's fans came to