Thread by @OilSheppard

It’s that wonderful point in every Scotland fan’s life where we start calculating just how we’re going to go out on goal difference, even if we somehow beat Croatia

The following is predicated on Scotland winning by a single goal. Here’s who to back in the other groups... #SCO

In Group A, where the final games are ‘live’, we really want Turkey to come from behind to either beat or draw with Switzerland.

If it stays 1-0 Switzerland will have same points & GD as Scotland, but more goals scored (if Scotland win 2-1 comes down to disciplinary record)

Group B is simple. Back Belgium to beat Finland (a draw leaves Finland ahead of Scotland on GD).

Denmark to beat Russia leaves 3 teams on 3 points and we’ve got our first elimination

Here Scotland fans back whoever is in front in Ukraine v Austria. We DO NOT want this game to finish in a draw, as both teams would have better GD and same points as Scotland. A win for either side creates the second elimination for a third place side on 3 points #SCO

Group D. Scotland’s group. The banter result would be somehow the Czech side beating England by three goals. This is sadly unlikely #sco

I interrupt this thread as Turkey have scored against Switzerland. Scenes. Remember - this is good for Scotland (provided we can somehow beat the last WC finalists. Allow us this dream). #SCO

Group E a bit more complex. For Slovakia v Spain the one result Scotland want to avoid is a draw. Odds are Spain *should* win so trying not to worry too much about it.

Sweden v Poland? Sweden to win or draw is fine (sorry Poland 🇵🇱). If Poland win they’ll be ahead of #SCO on GD

Switzerland now 3-1 up against Turkey. Pretty sure that’s them finishing on same points/GD as Scotland (again, if we somehow win by one goal vs Croatia). See how exhausting this is? We’ve waited 23 years to feel like this #SCO

Group F. The group of death. But it could do Scotland a favour

The big game for #SCO is France v Portugal. It may not be necessary if other groups go our way but safest result is a French win, sending Ronaldo home so Stephen O’Donnell can take his righteous place in the last 16

If Portugal beat France then #SCO want it to be by three goals or more... which is unlikely.

If Hungary somehow beat Germany again you’d want it to be by three goals or more. Also unlikely.

Just back France and Germany and all should be fine.

Having been through all that I think the two third place sides that will be eliminated, if not to come from Scotland’s group, are most likely to come from Groups B and C, which handily both play their final games before Scotland.

So #SCO fans should cheer on Belgium and Denmark tomorrow

AND

Pray for a victory for either Ukraine OR Austria.

Then it’s on us to win on Tuesday.

Group’s E & F could still bail us out (if Scotland win + groups B & C don’t go our way) but the stress would be...