Nathan Patterson is hoping for a bit of luck that sees Steve Clarke's men scrape through after calamitous night in Miami heat
18:00, 25 Jun 2026
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Scotland's Nathan Patterson appears dejected after Brazil score a third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match at Miami Stadium, Florida. Picture date: Wednesday June 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Nathan Patterson admits gifting Brazil ‘easy’ goals could have killed off our World Cup dream, writes Scott McDermott in Miami.
The Scotland full-back was left gutted after Steve Clarke’s side were beaten 3-0 by the samba stars in Miami.
Individual defensive errors proved costly for the Scots again.
A Scott McKenna mistake after just seven minutes handed Brazil an early lead through Vinicius Jr.
The Real Madrid winger then made it 2-0 after more poor defending before Matheus Cunha secured the victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Patterson actually coped pretty well with the threat of Vinicius Jr for most of the game.
But he accepts that - just like in the Morocco game previously when Grant Hanley was at fault for their winner - Scotland simply can’t afford to give quality opposition a goal of a start.
The heavy defeat leaves Clarke’s boys clinging on to the hope that other results go their way and they can scrape through to the last-32.
Everton defender Patterson said: “I thought we started quite well in the game, we were comfortable on the ball.
“But then obviously the mistake gives them the goal and put us on the back foot again.
“I thought we dug deep and showed what we’re capable of at times.
“But some errors cost us against a top team, who are going to punish you.
“We knew they were a tough side to play against with massive threats. We tried to nullify those threats.
“But giving them easy goals is not what you need. Hopefully we can still get through.
“We’re not sure now. It was massive to get that win in the first game (v Haiti).
“We knew it was going to be a tough ask against two opponents who are among the best in the world.
“But hopefully we can get a bit of luck and get through.”
Patterson started both games against Morocco and Brazil and - despite a lack of game time going into the tournament - felt he coped well, especially against a superstar in Vini Jr.
The whole squad has been left deflated by the results in Group C which could see them fail again to become the first Scottish side ever to play in the knock-out stages of a World Cup.
But Patterson is adamant that they can’t be faulted for effort and endeavour.
He said: “Personally, I knew it was going to be hard for myself up against some of the best players in the world on Wednesday night.
“I said to myself, just to try and make sure I won my one-v-one battles and I feel as though I did that.
“Everyone gave their all out there, that’s all you can ask for.
“I feel as if we’ve left it all out there. The message in the changing room was always to leave everything on the pitch and don’t come off with regrets.
“I think you can say we did that. We made mistakes but that’s football. We just need to hope now that things go our way now.
“Unfortunately in both games, we’ve given away slack goals.
“But we showed a bit of character to keep going.”
Clarke and his players will face criticism if they crash out of the tournament at the group stage, especially with the new, expanded World Cup format.
But Patterson says their display against Brazil was good - apart from the cheap goals they gave away.
He said: “I think we showed glimpses against Brazil of how we CAN compete with teams at the highest level.
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“Obviously we need to cut out the mistakes because teams like that will punish you.
“But there are signs in that performance that show you we can play at the top level.”