In the build-up to this tournament, head coach Steve Clarke deployed a 4-4-2 formation in friendlies against Curacao and Bolivia to great effect.
Against admittedly poor opposition, Scotland scored eight goals across the two matches and looked confident before the World Cup.
Clarke stuck with the same shape for the tournament opener against Haiti, but Scotland had fewer shots than their opponents and a lower expected goals (xG of 1.05 v 1.21).
John McGinn’s winning goal came via a deflection, and starting strikers Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams were on the periphery.
Shankland dropped to the bench against Morocco as Clarke bolstered his midfield, but once again, Adams failed to get into the contest.
Often an isolated figure up front, he failed to hold the ball up and get Scotland up the park, managing just 11 touches before being substituted for Lyndon Dykes on 71 minutes. Scotland finished the game with zero shots on target.
It seems likely Clarke will go with the same system against Brazil, but there could be a personnel change with Dykes, Shankland, Ross Stewart and George Hirst competing with Adams to lead the line.
Winger Ben Gannon-Doak, having impressed against Haiti, provided much-needed late dynamism off the bench as Clarke’s side finished strongly against Morocco.
Fellow wide player Findlay Curtis, 19, has yet to make his World Cup debut but also offers pace and trickery. Might he feature at some stage in midweek as Scotland look to relieve the pressure?
