Scotland is anxiously monitoring the status of their captain, Andy Robertson, as they wait to see if they have secured enough points to advance to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their final group match in Miami, Scotland’s chances of progression have taken a hit. Nevertheless, with three points on the board, they could still qualify for the last-32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Should they progress, it’s possible that Scotland may face their first knockout match at a World Cup without their captain, who suffered an injury during the match against Brazil.
Andy Robertson picked up a knock during Scotland’s defeat to Brazil (Reuters)
Robertson played the full first half but was substituted at halftime by manager Steve Clarke, who brought in Kieran Tierney. Robertson was later seen in the dugout with ice on his injured right ankle while watching his team suffer a disappointing defeat.
The loss has affected Scotland’s goal difference, dropping it to -3 for the group stage, currently positioning them sixth among third-placed teams. Only the top eight will advance, and with just two groups having completed their matches, Scotland will have to wait to see if they can continue their journey in the United States. They are competing alongside other teams such as Mexico and Canada.
Following the match, Robertson provided a brief update on his condition, expressing some concern: “Personally, time will tell. I need to take a day or two to see what has actually happened, and I’ll do that.”
Statistics prior to the tournament indicated that a team finishing the group stage with three points and a -3 goal difference had a 42% chance of advancing to the knockout stage. While this percentage is lower than Scotland had hoped, they still retain a chance to secure a spot in the last-32 for the first time in their history.