A night like no other; a chance to make history. Morale was high, but that key word — belief — was abundant, well for the first seven minutes.

With Dennis Law’s quote, “Look around the room at each other, listen to the fans out there and throw everything at anyone who is trying to stop Scotland from winning,” woven into the fabric of the Scotland top, the Scots knew that just one point would seal a place in the knockout stages.

As we’ve grown accustomed to, Flower of Scotland rang out around the Hard Rock Stadium in a fierce wave of patriotism as the Scots geared up for a showdown with five-time World Cup winners Brazil.

Brazil’s line-up was the crème de la crème of football. From Premier League champions to Champions League winners, they had all areas covered, and they showed their class as they slashed Scotland’s party.

Scotland started strongly and began to play with no fear. They set up in a manner that gave them a fighting chance, but the Brazilians began their campaign of menace and snuffed out Scottish hopes in the seventh minute.

How to even describe this howler is beyond words. Scott McKenna, who had a brilliant season with Dinamo Zagreb, got the ball caught under his feet, allowing Rayan to pinch it off his toes before rolling the ball to Vinícius Júnior, who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted it home. 0–1.

Scotland didn’t let this setback deter their attacking approach. “Keep the heid” may have been the message emanating from the Scotland bench.

The heid was truly lost however in the 22nd minute as Scotland became the gift that kept on giving for Brazil. Another massive calamity at the back, this time from Hendry, who dithered on the ball just outside the box. Again, the tenacious Vinícius Júnior slotted the ball home to double Brazil’s advantage. The only saving grace was VAR, which intervened and deemed that Vinícius Júnior had fouled Hendry in the build-up — a massive let-off for Scotland.

Scotland dusted themselves off and regrouped, attempting to take the game to Brazil. John McGinn’s beautifully swung-in cross found the head of McKenna, but he headed his effort back across the six-yard box.

In fairness, Scotland kept Brazil relatively quiet for the next 10 minutes, with the only notable effort coming from Cunha, who curled his shot just wide.

The Brazilians came back for a second bite of the apple just before half-time as Cunha had his effort cleared off the line by both Patterson and Ferguson, who kicked the ball at the same time. The warning signs were there for Scotland.

Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Vinícius Júnior, who may haunt Scotland for generations to come, doubled Brazil’s advantage. A beautifully carved-out cross from Guimarães found the winger unmarked in the middle of the box, and he made no mistake in glancing his header home. It looked set in stone that Scotland could be scuppering their hopes of knockout football. 0–2.

Scotland were determined to shoot themselves in the foot as the Brazilians broke up the pitch quickly, with every Scotland player turning puce as they charged back towards goal. Rayan took the ball down wonderfully and called Gunn into action, with the goalkeeper making a vital intervention to prevent a third goal before half-time.

Scotland came out in the second half with a point to prove and wasted no time in getting straight to work. Just three minutes after the restart, a wicked ball in from Tierney found McTominay in the box, who rose highest, but his header was straight at Alisson.

Scotland continued to grow into the game, with two penalty claims waved away by the referee shortly before the hour mark.

Brazil turned up the heat as Cunha well and truly shattered the hearts of Scotland fans around the globe as he fired the ball into the net. Just after the hour mark, neat play from Guimarães fed the striker through, and he made no mistake in finding the target. 0–3.

Scotland looked for an immediate response after being awarded a free-kick, but it was from a tight angle on the edge of the box. Despite this, Alisson still had to tip the effort around the post.

Scotland seemed to decide that three goals down was the time to wake up — as is the Scotland way — and McTominay’s header was saved by the goalkeeper in the 63rd minute.

Scotland didn’t stay alive for long, though, as Vinícius Júnior terrorised the Scotland back line again, but this time his shot was diverted wide.

Scotland had what could only be described as a consolation effort as Alisson denied McTominay in the final minutes.

Scotland’s hearts have all but been broken as the dream of knockout football slowly slips away.Although Scotland currently sit in a qualification spot, there are still so many teams left to play that it appears to be slipping from their reach.

It’s not impossible for Scotland to qualify, but it may take a miracle. So whatever you believe in, say a small prayer or put in a good word for Scotland, as the joy of a nation is balancing on the fate of the world.