Wait goes on after Scotland sunk by Neymar

The Scots had not beaten Brazil in nine previous encounters and there was little chance of ending that record in North London as they chased the ball almost from the first whistle.

The five-times World Cup winners had missed several chances before talented 19-year-old Neymar drove past Allan McGregor just before the break after taking a pass from Andre Santos.

Brazil cruised through the second half, looking to have a few gears in hand.

In the 76th minute Neymar was fouled by Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam inside the box and the teenage Santos striker picked himself up to score from the spot, and there were few complaints from the travelling Tartan Army in an impressive crowd of 53,087.

There was a lively atmosphere in the ground before kick-off which was helped by the appearance of Brazil legend Ronaldo as guest of honour.

Scotland had an early opportunity when Kenny Miller, captain for the day, was fouled by Brazil defender Lucio 30 yards from goal but Adam’s free-kick cannoned off the defensive wall.

The Scots were encouraged but midfielder James McArthur and Adam were guilty of some slackness with their passing which, fortunately for coach Craig Levein’s side, went unpunished.

However, Brazil slowly warmed to the task, showing brief glimpses of their trademark fluidity going forward and in the 15th minute Chelsea midfielder Ramires rose high at the back post but could only head over from Elano’s cross.

As the players in the famous yellow shirts turned the screw, Jadson’s low drive was parried by McGregor before the Scots’ defence scrambled the ball to safety and then Leandro Damiao skimmed the bar with a header from Elano’s corner.

Scotland were chasing the game as Brazil moved up the gears and Leandro had another chance from Elano cross’s but this time headed wide.

In the 27th minute Levein’s side escaped again when Lucas Leiva and Elano combined down the right and the Liverpool player’s cutback took the combination of McGregor and defender Gary Caldwell to clear, with the latter maybe helped by the use of an arm.

Scotland went close for the first time in the 35th minute when a wonderful whipped-in free-kick by Adam was met by Steven Whittaker whose header sped past the far post.

However, Brazil’s expected goal arrived four minutes from the break when Neymar took a pass from Andre Santos inside the Scotland box and ignored the attentions of Caldwell to casually fire past McGregor and into the far corner.

Neymar started the second half as positively as he had finished the first and there were less than two minutes played when he unleashed a drive from distance which clipped the bar on the way over.

From the goal-kick McGregor put McArthur in trouble and the Rangers goalkeeper had to make amends, diving to take the ball away from Neymar’s toes before blocking Leandro’s close-range shot.

In the 52nd minute Scotland were cut open again but Ramires blasted over from inside the box after taking a pass from overlapping full-back Dani Alves.

Four minutes later Barry Bannan replaced McArthur before Elano’s free-kick from distance was easily saved by McGregor.

Another corner from Elano was headed past the post by Leandro on the hour mark by which time Brazil had the game even more firmly in control.

There was a big cheer from the Tartan Army in the 63rd minute when Scotland won their first corner but Adam’s disappointing effort was easily cleared, before Kris Commons came on for Whittaker.

The introduction of the Celtic wide man momentarily fired up Scotland and re-energised the Scots’ fans.

But in the 76th minute a clumsy challenge by Adam on Neymar saw referee Howard Webb point to the spot and the striker sent McGregor the wrong way with the well-taken penalty.

Then, as Scotland defended some more, the ball appeared to strike the hand of Caldwell again as he tried to block a shot from Santos but Webb shook his head.

Two minutes from the end, after Brown was fouled by substitute Elias 30 yards from goal, Commons’s free-kick was comfortably saved by Julio Cesar and any hope of a consolation goal was gone, although there was still time for Brazil substitute Jonas to miss a sitter.