Scotland head into their second World Cup Group C match knowing a positive result against Morocco would guarantee them a place in the knockout stages.
Current Group C Standings
Steve Clarke's side made the perfect start to their campaign by beating Haiti 1-0, while Morocco and Brazil played out a 1-1 draw in the group's other opening fixture.
With the top two teams in each group qualifying automatically for the knockout stages, along with the eight best third-placed sides across the tournament, Scotland have given themselves a strong platform from which to progress.
Ahead of Friday night's clash in Boston, here's a look at where Group C stands and what the result could mean for Scotland's hopes.
Group C Results So Far
- Scotland 1-0 Haiti
- Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Group C Remaining Fixtures
- Scotland v Morocco (Boston Stadium) - Friday, June 19, 11pm BST
- Brazil v Haiti (Philadelphia Stadium) - Saturday, June 20, 1.30am BST
- Morocco v Haiti (Atlanta Stadium) - Wednesday, June 24, 11pm BST
- Scotland v Brazil (Miami Stadium) - Wednesday, June 24, 11pm BST
What a Win v Morocco Would Mean
Victory would put Scotland on six points from two matches. It would leave them in a position whereby only Brazil would be able to overtake them - therefore meaning they would be guaranteed at least second place. This is Scotland's easiest route to the knockouts.
What a Draw v Morocco Would Mean
A draw would move Scotland onto four points from their opening two matches and leave them in a strong position to reach the knockout stages. If Brazil then beat Haiti, the South Americans would move onto four points as well, setting up a winner-takes-all clash between Scotland and Brazil in the final group game. In that scenario, Scotland would know a draw against Brazil would guarantee a top-two finish, while even a defeat could still leave them with a chance of progressing.
If Brazil fail to beat Haiti, Scotland's position would become even stronger. Four points with one match remaining would leave Clarke's men firmly in control of their own destiny and within touching distance of qualification. The key point is that a draw would mean Scotland head into the final round of fixtures knowing that qualification remains very much in their own hands.
What a Loss v Morocco Would Mean
Defeat would leave Scotland on three points and transform Group C into a scramble for the top two and three spots. Should Brazil beat Haiti, the standings would see Brazil move onto four points, Morocco onto four points and Scotland remain on three. Scotland would then almost certainly need a positive result against Brazil in Miami to secure automatic qualification.
A draw against Brazil would take Scotland to four points and could be enough depending on goal difference and the outcome of Morocco's final game against Haiti. A victory over Brazil would guarantee progression and potentially even top spot in the group. If Brazil were to drop points against Haiti, Scotland's situation would be less severe, but defeat to Morocco would still remove the cushion created by their opening win over Haiti.
In short, losing to Morocco would not end Scotland's qualification hopes by any stretch, but it would mean the final match against Brazil becomes a high-pressure encounter with far less room for error.
How Many Third-Placed Teams Qualify?
The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups will progress to the knockout stages and it's likely some of those will have just three points. Four points should be enough to make it. The eight teams will be decided using the following criteria:
- Points won
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Fair play record
- FIFA world ranking
That means every goal could prove crucial, even for teams battling to finish third.
