How Scotland and Brazil are lining up this morning
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti made one change to face Scotland in Wednesday’s final World Cup Group C match from the team that beat Haiti 3-0, with forward Rayan replacing injured winger Raphinha.
Neymar starts on the bench in the first match he has been fit to feature in at the World Cup after recovering from a calf injury sustained over a month ago.
Scotland coach Steve Clarke made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Morocco, with Ben Gannon-Doak, Lawrence Shankland, Kenny McLean and Scott McKenna starting ahead of Kieran Tierney, Grant Hanley, Che Adams and Ryan Christie.
Here are the lineups:
Scotland: Angus Gunn, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Jack Hendry, Ben Gannon-Doak, Lewis Ferguson, Lawrence Shankland, Nathan Patterson, Kenny McLean, Scott McKenna.
Brazil: Alisson, Danilo, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos, Douglas Santos, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Rayan, Vinicius Jr, Matheus Cunha. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas, Editing by Ken Ferris and Ed Osmond)
Reuters
Why McGinn’s goal celebration matters
Scotland star John McGinn has a big job ahead of him today if his nation is to take anything from their clash with Brazil.
But if McGinn is again on the score sheet, as he was against Haiti in his side’s opening match, then watch out for this special goggles celebration which is for his nephew Jack.
“It was initially for the last Euros as at that time there was serious discussions around Jack and his eyesight,” McGinn told SBS Sport in a video on their X account.
“He is currently on the strongest lens that you can give a child.
Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges in France
In between playing their previous World Cup match and their third this morning against Haiti, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France.
An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic last Friday – a day before Morocco’s second group-stage match.
Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023.
The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is captain of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name.
Must-win matches on Day 14 of the World Cup
Group B is officially the first to finish all three group stage matches. Here’s the end results with Qatar knocked out but Bosnia and Herzgovina likely able to continue in the tournament as one of the best third place teams:
Scotland need to win their match against Brazil to guarantee progression through to the knock-out stages. But, if they draw, they’ll finish on four points which should be enough for them to qualify as one of the best third-place teams, even a loss to Brazil with just a single goal will allow them to finish with three points and a healthy enough goal difference to qualify.
While Morocco faces already-eliminated Haiti and should win, meaning they’ll sit comfortably in second in the group behind a victorious Brazil.
In Group A, co-host Mexico, with striker Santiago Giménez, has already clinched first place, while opponent Czechia needs an upset and help elsewhere. South Korea, led by Son Heung-min, can advance with a win or draw against South Africa, which needs a victory to stay alive.
With AP
Breaking: Jacob Italiano ruled out of clash against Paraguay
Santa Clara: Defender Jacob Italiano has been ruled out of the Socceroos’ World Cup clash against Paraguay and is expected to miss the rest of the tournament, further exposing the lack of available depth in what has been the team’s long-term problem position.
In a sizeable blow to Australia’s hopes, Italiano injured his groin at training on Monday (local time) and is unlikely to play any further part in their campaign, according to sources with knowledge of his fitness status.
Coach Tony Popovic confirmed the news on the eve of their Group D showdown with Paraguay, saying the extent of the 24-year-old’s injury was still to be determined by scans in the coming days.
Bosnia end Qatar’s World Cup dream, all but seal knockout berth
Seattle: Bosnia and Herzegovina kept their World Cup dreams alive and ended Qatar’s in a 3-1 Group B victory rich in incident, tension and moments of brilliance on Thursday morning (AEST), leaving the Bosnians almost certain to qualify for the knockout stages as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams.
On a landmark afternoon for captain Edin Dzeko, who won his 150th cap for Bosnia, his side found the breakthrough their relentless first half pressure deserved when Kerim Alajbegovic produced the sort of moment that can illuminate a World Cup.
Picking up possession on the edge of the area in the 29th minute, he slalomed through a crowd of defenders before dispatching an unstoppable right-footed drive into the top corner.
Bosnia doubled their lead soon after in far less elegant fashion. Sead Kolasinac delivered a deep cross to Dzeko at the back post and, fittingly on his milestone appearance, the veteran striker played a decisive role, volleying the ball back across goal where it ricocheted off a Qatari and bobbled into the net for an own goal that appeared to settle the contest.
Qatar, who had spent almost the entire first half on the back foot, suddenly sprang to life minutes before the break as Hassan Al Haydos tapped home from close range, but the Bosnians always looked the more likely to score again on a sun-drenched afternoon and grabbed a third goal 10 minutes from the end through Ermin Mahmic to wrap up the victory.
Reuters
Switzerland secure group victory with 2-1 win over Canada
Vancouver: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi struck second-half goals for Switzerland as they beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.
Switzerland, who finished the group stage on seven points, will remain in Vancouver for their last-32 tie, while Canada, who would have won the group with a draw, ended three points behind them and will head to Los Angeles for their next game.
The two sides managed to create a total of three attempts on goal in an uneventful first half only notable for two yellow cards handed out to Swiss captain Granit Xhaka and Canada’s striker Cyle Larin after the pair clashed over a quick free kick for Switzerland.
The Swiss turned up the heat after the break, Vargas immediately firing them into the lead and 20-year-old Manzambi adding a well-taken second in the 57th minute, and though substitute Promise David made it 2-1 with his first touch after coming on, Canada were unable to find another goal as they suffered their first defeat of the tournament.
Reuters
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to another day of World Cup coverage. It’s the first day with double the number of matches. We’re already two matches down as Switzerland claimed a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Canada and Qatar lost 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results mean Canada and Bosnia are tied on points, but Canada will progress to the round of 32 based on goal difference while Bosnia will have to wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Here’s what else is on today:
- Morocco v Haiti at 8am (AEST)
- Scotland v Brazil at 8am (AEST)
- South Africa v South Korea at 11am (AEST)
- Czechia v Mexico at 11am (AEST)
Until then, here’s a list of stories worth your time:
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
