Scotland’s chances of a World Cup knockout place have grown significantly more unlikely with the latest results in North America.In Group D, Paraguay’s stalemate with Australia moved them onto four points, instantly pushing them above Steve Clarke’s side in the third-place rankings.Scotland are on the brink of World Cup elimination after a disastrous night of resultsGettyMeanwhile, Ecuador delivered a monumental blow in Group E, stunning Germany to also finish on four points and comfortably book their spot in the last 32, where they will face England as things stand.To compound the misery, Sweden fought out a 1-1 draw with Japan in Group F, ensuring a third consecutive group delivered a team in third place with four points.All this comes after a disastrous 1-0 victory for South Africa over South Korea in Group A on Wednesday, which saw the African nation go second and left the Asian side on a superior third-place tally to the Scots.With Sweden, Ecuador, and Paraguay all now mathematically out of reach, Scotland have officially been pushed down to eighth in the live third-place table, with eight out of 12 going through.Third place table – as things standNationGames playedGoals forGoals againstGoal differencePointsSweden37704Ecuador322-04Bosnia and Herzegovina356-14Paraguay324-24Croatia234-13South Korea323-13Algeria224-23Scotland314-33Cape Verde22202Belgium21102DR Congo212-11Senegal236-30Attention now turns to the final fixtures in Groups G through L, where the Scots desperately need four of the remaining six third-placed teams to finish with fewer than three points, or with a worse goal difference, to breathe life back into their qualification bid.The most important fixtures appear to be New Zealand vs Belgium, Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, Senegal vs Iraq and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan.A draw for Belgium or Cape Verde would see them climb above Scotland, while victories for Senegal or DR Congo would do the same.Meanwhile, Algeria and Croatia could still fall below Scotland with a heavy defeat when they take on Austria and Ghana respectively.In short, they’re not out yet, but the Scots require a near-miraculous string of results elsewhere to avoid elimination.World Cup woesThe Tartan Army had been hoping to see their side reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever this summer.Ecuador leapfrogged Scotland in the best third-placed rankings with a surprise win over GermanyGettyThis year’s World Cup marks their first appearance at the finals for 28 years.Each of their eight previous campaigns have ended in the group stage.Meanwhile, Scotland have suffered the same fate on their four appearances at the Euros.They had appeared to have made the perfect start on their quest for the round of 32 in North America, though.Scotland began life in group C with a 1-0 win over Haiti thanks to John McGinn’s deflected effort.However, they were beaten by the same scoreline in their second match against Morocco.Clarke admitted he thinks his side are going home after their loss to BrazilGettyAs a result, Scotland needed a point against Brazil on Wednesday to assure themselves of a spot in the last 32.Instead, Clarke’s side slumped to a 3-0 defeat in Miami to take their destiny out of their own hands.Clarke on exitClarke admitted he was not confident Scotland would get the results they needed elsewhere to advance after losing to Brazil.Following the match, he was asked if he felt his team were heading for an early exit.In response, he told reporters: “Yes, for sure. I think we’re going home.”Clarke, who signed a new four-year deal last month, has guided Scotland to three of the last four major tournaments.World Cup WhatsAppDon't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings. Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.