The three World Cup results Scotland need to qualify for knockout stages

Scotland‘s World Cup hopes are on the brink after finishing third in Group C following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil - and their fate is out of their hands with only the most improbable set of results on the final day of group stage games sending them through.Steve Clarke’s side defeated Haiti in their opening match before a slim 1-0 loss to Morocco. A dispiriting defeat to Brazil left them with just three points and a goal difference of -3, as well as an agonising wait to determine if they’ll make it into the knockout rounds.

From 12 groups only the best eight third placed finishers will progress meaning Scotland need four teams to finish third with fewer than three points or a worse goal difference than them (-3) to qualify. The Scots may not know their fate until the final group stage matches have been played meaning a wait until Sunday and the conclusion of Group J’s fixtures. But it’s been a bad start.

South Africa’s victory over South Korea in Group A, Ecuador’s stunning triumph over Germany in Group E, plus Senegal’s huge win over Iraq in Group I have pushed Scotland closer to the edge, severely narrowing their route to the knockouts.Senegal stormed past them with a 5-0 win ensuring a positive goal difference, while Iran also hold a zero goal difference to stand above Scotland. But Spain's win over Uruguay gives the Tartan Army hope, with Group H lacking a third-place team with three points or more.

RecommendedScotland have stagnated and World Cup waiting game leaves an uncomfortable questionSteve Clarke abandons post-match interview after just 23 secondsSteve Clarke in terse reaction to defeat as Tartan Army head towards World Cup exitHow can Scotland qualify for the knockout rounds? Following their defeat to Brazil, Scotland’s progress to the next stage of the tournament – which would put them in the knockout rounds for the very first time – is out of their hands.Over the next few days, certain results will need to fall in their favour in order for them to book a spot in the last-32, but what scenarios from each group will hand the Scots a place in the next stage of the competition?

Scotland need at least four results to go their way. Here is how the third-placed sides currently stand:open image in galleryScott McKenna was caught in possession leading to Brazil’s opening goal (PA)Saturday 26 June FixturesCroatia vs Ghana (Group L) – 10pm BSTPanama vs England (Group L) – 10pm BST Colombia vs Portugal (Group K) – 12.30am BSTDR Congo vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – 12.

30am BSTAlgeria vs Austria (Group J) – 3am BST Jordan vs Argentina (Group J) – 3am BST What Scotland need: In Group L, should Croatia earn a point or better against Ghana then the third-place finisher would have more points than Scotland and eliminate the Tartan Army. Scotland need Ghana to beat Croatia by three goals.Group K sees DR Congo and Uzbekistan face off for third place.

A draw would be ideal or a win for Uzbekistan by three or less goals, with the Asian side’s goal difference set at -7 after two games. If DR Congo win they will likely finish third with four points, as Portugal have a much better goal difference. Scotland need DR Congo to fail to win.

In Group J, Austria and Algeria sit second and third respectively and both have three points. Algeria have the worse goal difference heading into their meeting so Scotland need an Austria win, and by two goals or more. Alternatively, if Algeria win by four or more goals, it would leave Austria’s goal difference -4 or worse, which would elevate Scotland above them.

open image in galleryScotland fans now face a nervous wait to see if their side will qualify for the knockout rounds (Reuters)Here are the full group stage standings:Who will Scotland play in the knockout rounds if they advance? Scotland are almost certainly out now, but if they did squeeze through, then Group A winners Mexico in the last-32 in Mexico City would be their probable path.If Steve Clarke’s men win that tie they could then face England in the round of 16, also in Mexico City, providing Thomas Tuchel’s men finish top of Group L and then defeat probable opponents DR Congo or Senegal or Algeria in the last-32.

If the Scots defeat their old enemy, then a rematch against Brazil could be on the cards otherwise they could face one of Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway in the quarter-finals as things stand. Join our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments