Victory would deliver Scotland's first ever appearance in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
The face of this Scotland side is Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, a player his club are simultaneously cheering on and working to secure on a new contract, conscious that a standout tournament could attract interest from clubs at the very top of the game.
Il Mattino names two clubs in particular. The first is Real Madrid, where new head coach Jose Mourinho has long admired McTominay, having given him his Manchester United debut and tracked his progress ever since. Paris-based interest from PSG and Paris FC is also reportedly being monitored.
Napoli have already tabled a renewal proposal that would make McTominay the highest, or second-highest, paid player in the squad. The intention is clear — to potentially free up other significant salaries elsewhere in the squad, while drawing a hard line over keeping hold of McTominay himself. For his part, the player has asked to discuss his future only once the World Cup is finished.
McTominay's current deal runs until 30 June 2028, and Napoli's hierarchy, led by president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna, regard extending it as a priority before the contract enters its final two years. Talks had stalled in recent weeks, with the player's representatives reportedly seeking close to €5m net per season, roughly double his current terms — a figure that sits uneasily with De Laurentiis's stated intention to keep the wage bill under control.
McTominay moved to Napoli from Manchester United in 2024 and has since become one of Serie A's most influential midfielders, winning the Scudetto and the league's MVP award in his first season at the club. Napoli have already rejected approaches from two Premier League clubs and a Saudi Pro League side this year, regarding the Scotland international as effectively untouchable.
His club's determination to extend his stay reflects both the scale of his importance to the team and an awareness that performances of the kind he is producing for Scotland at this World Cup tend to come with a price attached — one that grows with every match he plays.