スコットランドとイングランドの「幸運な」判定が、2026年ワールドカップの審判基準に疑問を投げかける

Scotland vs Brazil played out exactly as most football fans would have expected.

The Scots have looked wholly uncomfortable on a stage so large, with the first half being characterised by its many errors.

Brazil struck first after a calamitous Scotland mistake, causing Vinicius Junior to pounce on a loose ball, then the same occurred prior to the break - but should Brazil's second goal (before they actually got the second) have been ruled out?

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'Lucky' Scotland and England decisions raise questions about suspect FIFA refereeing 'directive' at 2026 World Cup

Vinicius has a brace already, but he should have a hat-trick. (Image credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Vinicius leapt on another loose touch from the Scotland back-line, quickly driving in on goal.

The Brazilian delivered a deft finish into the bottom left corner, pea-rolling the ball past the Scottish shot-stopper for his one-on-one.

The Brazilian is now the World Cup 2026's second highest scorer. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The goal was ruled out, but Vinicius did manage to score his second of the match just before half-time with a diving back-post header.

The strike was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up, supposedly from the Brazilian as he plucked the pockets of Kenny McLean.

In the studio, ex-Liverpool and Brazil player Lucas Leiva disagreed with the notion that it was a foul, and the three Scottish pundits/presenters also didn't argue too vehemently in favour of the decision.

Darren Cann, as relayed by Kelly Cates, described Scotland as "very lucky" to not have conceded the goal, due to the soft nature of the foul.

Ex-Scotland international Rachel Corsie agreed with that assessment, stating that the Tartan Army were "ever so fortunate" to not see their national side concede a second of the game, at that time.

Scotland have been poor this tournament. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The call, combined with England's luck to avoid conceding a penalty decision, raises questions about the strange World Cup "directive" described by referee Christina Unkel yesterday.

The Three Lions' luck in not seeing a spot kick awarded vs Ghana was attributed to FIFA's guidance to referees: to not give a call unless it's "110%" and avoid "clip-debate-analysis," as Unkel put it.

These two decisions clearly clash, with Scotland being the beneficiaries of a far less than clear-cut foul.

Both teams received disappointing results in their group stage face-offs, however, a bigger question beyond individual teams could be raised regarding refereeing at the 2026 World Cup.

Scotland eventually lost 3-0 with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha adding a third on the hour mark.

The result leaves Scotland sweating on a place in the last 32.