Scotland on 'brink of history' ahead of Brazil World Cup tie

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Scotland on 'brink of history' ahead of Brazil World Cup tieImage source, ReutersImage caption, Thousands of Scotland fans have travelled to Miami for the matchByMegan BonarBBC Scotland, Reporting fromMiamiPublished3 hours agoScotland fans say they feel like their team is on the "brink of history" as the national side prepares to meet Brazil in a vital World Cup clash. Tens of thousands of members of the Tartan Army have travelled to Miami for the match, which will help determine whether the men's team qualify for the next round of the competition. Supporters across Scotland will also be tuning in for the game, which is being shown on the .

If the team win or draw against five times world champions Brazil, they will all but secure their place in the knock-out stages of the tournament for the first time ever. At South Beach in Miami, Stevie Parker from Larbert told Scotland News: "I think they will do it. It feels like we are on the brink of history.

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"I think this is the year we might just scrape over the line. "It'll be a historic day and the perfect end to a long arduous trip for the Tartan Army. "Image caption, Stevie Parker (centre) says it will be a "historic day"While fans have been in party mode for the last few days and weeks, there is a sense that some are now starting to crunch the numbers.

"I've got my spreadsheets out everyday. We're not counting our chickens yet, but I feel like we should be ok," said Brian Guthrie from Inverness. "I phoned in sick to be here, I'll be gutted not to go on.

I'd love to go to Mexico City and the spreadsheet says it could happen. "For Ewen MacDonald, from Machrihanish in Argyll and Bute, the match is also a chance to rewrite history. The 44-year-old celebrated his birthday in Miami on Tuesday, exactly 28 years after watching Scotland's 3-0 defeat to Morocco on his 16th birthday - a result that ended the nation's World Cup hopes in France 1998.

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Image caption, Ewen MacDonald (right) is hoping for a special birthday presentThat campaign also featured a defeat to Brazil, the side Scotland face later. The parallels have not been lost on Ewen. Scotland were beaten by Morocco on 23 June in 1998, and again last weekend.

But with Brazil next up, Ewen hopes this Scotland side can succeed where their predecessors fell short and finally change the script. "It could be one of the best days of my life. I just can't wait," he said.

On my 16th birthday, I watched Scotland lose 3-0 to Morocco and get put out. "I'd love to see Scotland win at a World Cup. It would make my birthday and all my dreams come true.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.