Are Scotland through if they beat Morocco at World Cup? How many points do you need in third place?
Full details as Scotland bid for World Cup history
Scotland are aiming to qualify for the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the very first time.
Steve Clarke’s men started well in their quest, defeating Haiti 1-0 in their opening Group C match last weekend. However, they face two sterner tests - against Morocco on Friday and then Brazil on Wednesday - in their remaining two pool-phase matches.
We take a look at what Scotland need to qualify and the state of play across the World Cup:
Who qualifies for the last 32 of the World Cup
The top two teams in the 12 World Cup groups are guaranteed qualification to the knock-out stages, taking their place in the expanded last 32 round.
There also eight spots for third-placed teams - a first in the history of the World Cup.
The eight third-placed teams with the highest points and then goal difference will progress from the groups, meaning four third-placed teams will miss out.
How many points do Scotland need if they finish third?
Good question. You’ll see all manner of boffins try to predict the magic combination but given this is the first World Cup of its kind, there is no historical data to fall back on.
The reality is that for the third-placed question, the puzzle will only become clearer after two full rounds of fixtures in each group. We are not at that point yet.
Many believe that three points and a positive goal difference will be enough. Four points is seen as the golden ticket but after a run of draws, there could be quite a few third-placed teams on four points.
Finishing on three points with a negative goal difference could be perilous. We’ll just have to see.
Do Scotland qualify if they beat Morocco?
Yes. Scotland would be top of Group C on six points, five clear of the Moroccans. No matter what the result between Haiti and Brazil on Saturday morning, Scotland would be guaranteed to be at least five points clear of one of them.
Who do Scotland play if they reach the last 32?
This is slightly complicated, so bear with me ...
If Scotland WIN the group, then they will play Group F runners-up in Houston on Monday, June 29, 6pm our time If Scotland finish SECOND in the group, they they will play Group F winner in Monterrey on Tuesday, June 30, 2am our time
If Scotland finish THIRD and qualify as one of the best eight teams, there are three routes available to them.
The most probable is the winner of Group E in Boston on Monday, June 29, 9.30pm our time There is a reasonable chance that they end up playing the winner of Group A in Mexico City on Wednesday, July 1, 2am our time The other option is very unlikely - that they play the winner of Group I in New York on Tuesday, June 30 at 10pm.
If Scotland finish third then we may need to wait a couple of days for us (a) to find out if we have qualified and (b) discover where we slot in the draw. The third-placed teams are assigned once all of them are known.
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