The Heat Map hits mid-week with an absolute blockbuster of a schedule that has every football fan in Ireland ordering a late-night takeaway and settling in for some premium tournament drama.

First up, it’s the glamorous, mind-bending spectacle of our Celtic neighbours Scotland taking on the ultimate footballing aristocracy: Brazil in Miami. After the Tartan Army’s early exploits, this is the ultimate litmus test. The gossip filtering out of the Scottish camp Day 14: A Celtic Carnival in Miami and the Azteca Cauldron

suggests that Steve Clarke is drawing up a proper, deep-lying defensive trench to absorb the inevitable Samba onslaught. Word is Brazil’s star-studded frontline is feeling the pressure to put on a show after a somewhat sluggish start to the tournament, meaning the Scottish rearguard will need to be absolutely flawless. If John McGinn and company can disrupt the Brazilian rhythm and sneak something on the counter, it’ll be a legendary night in Miami Gardens and revenge for that 2-1 defeat in France ‘98.

Meanwhile, over in Mexico City, there’s a game carrying a lot of local emotional weight for us: Czechia taking on the hosts Mexico in the intimidating bowl of the Estadio Azteca. Given that the Czechs are only here because they snatched our ticket in the playoffs, Irish fans will be firmly donning the green, white, and red of El Tri for the night. The inside gossip from the host camp suggests manager Javier Aguirre is demanding a high-intensity pressing masterclass to completely stifle the Czech midfield. In that suffocating altitude and hostile atmosphere, those slow-turning Czech defenders are in for a thoroughly miserable evening if they give away cheap possession.

The group stages are hitting their absolute peak, the margins are razor-thin, and the knockout brackets are finally locked in the crosshairs.

Whatever happens on that pitch, The Heat Map won’t let you down.