WORLD CUP ’90 : Brazil Does What It Takes to Win Again : Group C: Muller’s late goal good for 1-0 victory over Scotland, which, for the seventh time, will probably fail to advance.

Brazil and Scotland played to their histories Wednesday night.

The Brazilians, three-time World Cup champions, edged the Scots, who have never made it past the first round in six previous visits to the tournament, 1-0. A tie would have virtually assured Scotland a place in the final 16.

And Brazil, which looked uninspired for much of the second half, pounced on a mistake, as it almost always does.

Muller scored with nine minutes remaining, poking the ball into an unguarded net after goalkeeper Jim Leighton could not control a rebound.

“Brazil proved in each game that it has personality,” Coach Sebastiao Lazaroni said. “I know this team has quality.

“Brazil got another win because the players worked hard tonight.”

So did the Scots, who were confident of tying the Brazilians.

“We felt the whole second half the game would progress into a draw,” Coach Andy Roxburgh said. “Then, suddenly, it was gone.”

So, probably, are Scotland’s chances of moving on.

“Our players gave everything they had,” Roxburgh said. “They battled away, but Brazil has real class.

“We knew that if we didn’t get a point, we wouldn’t qualify.”

Leighton made a save on a shot by Alemao, but the rebound came to a charging Careca. He nudged it toward the goal and past Leighton. Muller, free at the right of the net, did the rest.

Brazil, which already had qualified, ended the first round 3-0. Surprising Costa Rica, which beat Sweden, 2-1, finished second with four points.

Scotland ended up third with two points, not likely to be enough to advance. But the Scots must wait for today’s results, the final four games of the first round.

Despite having the majority of possession, the Brazilians did not create many chances and found Leighton in fine form.

The goalkeeper’s best saves came against Ricardo Gomes in the 24th minute, Romario’s header in the 52nd minute, and again on Romario five minutes later.

Scotland had a chance to tie in the final minute, but Brazilian goalie Claudio Taffarel flicked the ball over the crossbar to keep out a close shot by Maurice Johnston.