From The Sports Desk: Is the Tartan party over?

World CupFrom The Sports Desk: Is the Tartan party over?Scotland’s hopes of advancing to the knockouts hang by a kilting thread.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Scotland fans play bagpipes as Scotland's Tartan Army travel to Miami Stadium for the match between Scotland and Brazil on June 24.JEFF ROMANCE / Imagn Images via ReutersShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 25, 2026, 11:01 AM EDTBy David HickeyA Brazilian side that featured Neymar sealed the top spot in Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland yesterday, while the co-hosts Canada progressed to the knockouts for the first time in its history.Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscriptionGet exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.There are six games today, including USA, who are already assured top spots in their group. Will coach Mauricio Pochettino make wholesale changes? We’ll be live-blogging all the team news and match action from every game.World Cup RecapSometimes outnumbered but never outsung, not even Scotland’s famed Tartan Army of supporters could inspire their nation to victory against a Brazil side that had the luxury of easing Neymar into the tournament as a late substitute — he created three chances — after a right calf injury had sidelined him for the first two matches.In truth, it was calamitous defending by Scotland that set the five-time world champions on their way, Vinícius Júnior capitalizing on an early error from Scott McKenna. Vinícius scored a second before Matheus Cunha completed the rout. In the intriguing race for the Golden Boot, Vinícius moved level with Norway’s Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé of France with four goals, one behind the great Lionel Messi of Argentina. Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring their second goal with Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes in Miami on June 24.Marco Bello / ReutersThe Seleção top group C, while Scotland is sitting on 3 points and a goal difference of -3. With nine groups still left to play, the Tart...