Brazil, led by Vinicius Júnior, secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday to seal their qualification for the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, in a clash highlighted by the long-awaited return of Neymar.
Nearly three years after his last appearance for the Seleção, the 34-year-old current Santos player came on in the 76th minute. By then, Carlos Ancelotti’s squad had long settled the match courtesy of a brace from Vinicius (7 and 45+3 minutes) and a goal from Matheus Cunha (60).
Thanks to a superior goal difference over Morocco (7-1 compared to the African side’s 6-3, following their 4-2 win against Haiti), Brazil topped Group C. They are scheduled to play their first knockout match on June 29 in Houston against the runners-up of Group F (Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden).
Meanwhile, Scotland’s lone threat came from Scott McTominay, who repeatedly tested goalkeeper Alisson. With just three points and a 1-4 goal difference, it is highly unlikely the Scots will avoid exiting in the group stage for the ninth time in their nine tournament appearances as one of the four worst third-placed teams.
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Compared to their 1-0 defeat against Morocco, Scotland manager Steve Clarke replaced Hanley, Tierney, Christie, and Adams with McKenna, McLean, Gannon-Doak, and Shankland. On the other hand, following a 3-0 win over Haiti, Ancelotti made just one forced change, starting Rayan in place of the injured Raphinha.
The match began at a slow pace, but Brazil took an unexpected lead in the seventh minute. Scott McKenna made a costly error while trying to play out from the back, allowing Rayan to intercept. The ball fell to Vinicius, who rounded goalkeeper Angus Gunn to tap it in.
Holding the advantage, the South Americans controlled the tempo effortlessly. Vinicius threatened again in the 20th minute and found the net in the 22nd, but the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a foul on Jack Hendry.
After the 30-minute mark, Scotland won three consecutive corners but failed to generate any real danger. Right before the break, Brazil capitalized on another poor defensive clearance by the Europeans in the 45th+3 minute. Bruno Guimarães delivered a precise cross from the right, allowing Vinicius to head home his second of the night.
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McTominay had a chance to pull one back in the 49th minute when he connected with a cross from Kieran Tierney—who had replaced Andrew Robertson—but his header went straight to Alisson. Vinicius missed a chance to put the game to bed in the 51st minute, failing to beat Gunn after being played through by Lucas Paquetá.
The third goal arrived shortly after in the 60th minute. Casemiro picked out Bruno Guimarães, who selflessly squared the ball for Matheus Cunha to easily convert from close range.
The Scots tried to respond through McTominay again in the 64th minute, but Alisson produced another fine save. In the 76th minute, the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium erupted as Neymar Jr. was subbed into the match. Marking his return to the national team after 981 days, he equaled Pelé’s record of 14 World Cup appearances.
Brazil spent the final minutes of the game camped in the opposition’s half, with Vinicius coming close to a hat-trick in the 81st minute following a pass from Danilo. The match concluded with Alisson denying McTominay one last time to preserve the clean sheet.
The stadium went absolutely crazy as Neymar returned. 🇧🇷🤩
Definitely the best video you’ll see today. pic.twitter.com/5ffBCYRn8c
— MC (@CrewsMat10) June 25, 2026
