Scotland’s campaign wrapped up after the group stage. Steve Clarke’s side needed a miracle to stay alive. They had to win one match, draw another and hope a rival lost, all to end up as a third‑placed team. The required win was against a traditional foe, the draw had to come in a different game, and a competitor had to slip up. None of those results came through.
The squad will return to Britain with no spot in the knockout rounds. Their World Cup tally will not grow this summer. Scotland now turns its focus to rebuilding for Euro 2028.