What do Scotland need to go through? Tartan Army's World Cup hopes hang by a thread

What do Scotland need to go through? Tartan Army's World Cup hopes hang by a thread

Scotland's World Cup hopes hang by a thread as they wait to learn their fate and whether they make it to the knockout stages. Out of the 12 teams that finish in third-place in the group stages, eight will enter the round of 32. If teams finish level on points, which is a likely possibility, rankings will be marked on goal difference. Scotland's minus-three goal difference sets them back, requiring several results to go their way for their World Cup campaign to continue. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Bosnia and Herzegovina will make it through in one of the best third-place team slots, advancing after beating Qatar 3-1. South Korea also looks relatively safe, with a two-goal advantage over Scotland. The Tartan Army will have to keep a close eye on the nine remaining groups still to play, starting off in Group D, with Australia and Paraguay in action from 3am tonight. The losers of the contest will end with three points, while a draw will put both sides on four, pushing Scotland down. LATEST SPORTS NEWS World Cup day 15: Reaction after Scotland hammered by Brazil as knockout hopes in jeopardy Scotland's John McGinn makes worrying World Cup admission after Brazil mauling World Cup star banned after challenge that broke player's leg Steve Clarke's side ideally needs Australia to win by two or more goals to damage Paraguay's goal difference. In Group E, Ecuador and Curacao are on one point, with both in action at 9pm against Germany and the Ivory Coast, respectively. Any result other than a win for either Curacao or Ecuador is good news for Scotland, with both sides facing tricky fixtures to make it to the last 32. Group F looks unlikely to provide any support for the Tartan Army, as they need Japan to hammer Sweden by at least four goals tonight. Scottish supporters will want to keep a close eye on Group G, with a win for Egypt against Iran in the final group game ensuring third-place finishes on less than two points. As it stands, Belgium