MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Brazil secured top spot in Group C as Vinícius Júnior inspired them to a 3-0 win over Scotland, a result that leaves the Tartan Army’s hopes of making the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed sides hanging by a thread.
On a night where Neymar played his first Brazil minutes in three years as a second-half substitute, this was a wonderful night for Carlo Ancelotti‘s side, but a grim one for Scotland. Vinícius profited from Scottish complacency in defence to put Brazil 2-0 up at halftime, while Matheus Cunha added their third in the 60th minute.
And to the delight of the Brazil-dominated stadium in South Florida, Neymar came on in the 76th minute to a huge ovation as he made his first international appearance since 2023.
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The result means Brazil go through to face the runners-up from Group F, which looks likely to be Japan or the Netherlands, in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday.
But Scotland’s chances of making the knockouts for the first time in their men’s team’s history are now dependent on other results. The defeat means they finish with a goal difference of -3, so they’ll head back to their team base in Charlotte and wait for other results to play out to see if they make the final 32.
Brazil had the better chances in the first half, but it was Scottish errors that gifted them the platform for both of their goals.
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The first came in the seventh minute as Rayan closed down Scott McKenna as he looked to make a pass, and the ball ricocheted to Vinícius who took a touch past Angus Gunn and slotted home into an empty net.
The Real Madrid forward thought he had a second in the 22nd minute after he snuck up on Jack Hendry to steal the ball and finish comfortably past Gunn, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for deeming Vinícius fouled Hendry. It was a dubious call, at best.
But Brazil still built the two-goal advantage heading into the break as Scottish defensive complacency was again punished. It was three minutes into first-half stoppage time as Cunha intercepted a poor pass out from the back, and Bruno Guimarães’ pinpoint cross was missed by both Gunn and Nathan Patterson to allow Vinícius to nod home unmarked at the far post.
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Vinícius becomes the fifth Brazilian player to score in each of the three group stage games in the World Cup, joining legends Jairzinho (1970), Romario (1994), Ronaldo and Rivaldo (both in 2002). Brazil went on to lift the trophy on each of those occasions.
His performances for the national team have been transformed since Ancelotti, his former boss at Real Madrid, took charge of Brazil 13 months ago.
After just six goals in 39 games with previous coaches, the 25-year-old has scored seven times in 13 just under Ancelotti.
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Scotland coach Steve Clarke switched things up at the break, taking off his captain Andy Robertson for Kieran Tierney and it did spark them into life, with Scott McTominay finding space in the box to have a clear header on goal, only to plant it straight at Alisson. Vinícius then reminded Scotland of his pace at the other end as he sprinted away from Hendry to see his shot well saved by Gunn.
But Brazil didn’t have to wait long for their third. Scotland were again outmuscled as Kenny McLean was shoved of the ball by Guimarães and, with Scotland’s defence fractured, Cunha was allowed space and time to ease home Brazil’s third. Scotland had a couple of late chances, but couldn’t make a dent in Alisson’s goal.
