Brazil vs Scotland, FIFA World Cup Match Result: Vinícius Júnior scores brace in 3-0 win as Neymar returns to action Football News:

Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Brazil secured the top spot in Group C with a convincing 3-0 win over Scotland at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, completing an unbeaten group stage campaign and advancing to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 as group winners. Vinícius Júnior starred in the goals in the 7th and 45+3 minutes, before Matheus Cunha added a third in the 60th minute, while Neymar made his long-awaited return to the World Cup with a late substitute appearance for the first time since Brazil’s quarter-final loss to Croatia at Qatar 2022.For Scotland, the defeat ended an encouraging but ultimately difficult group campaign. Steve Clarke’s side finished third with three points after beating Haiti before narrow defeats to Morocco and Brazil, leaving their hopes of progressing dependent on the final ranking of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

Both teams entered the final Group C fixture with significant goals. Brazil need at least a draw to guarantee first place, while Scotland know avoiding defeat will secure a historic first qualification for the knockout stages of a World Cup.Brazil established control within seven minutes after Scotland were caught trying to build patiently from the back. Scott McKenna’s errant pass under pressure fell gracefully to Vinícius Júnior, who reacted quickly, burst into the penalty area and calmly slotted a low finish past Angus Gunn into the bottom-right corner to give Brazil a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.The Real Madrid forward thought he had doubled Brazil’s advantage in the 22nd minute after a running move, only for a lengthy VAR review to disallow the goal due to a foul by Marquinhos on Jack Hendry in the build-up.Scotland responded positively despite falling behind. In the 34th minute, Scott McTominay latched on to a loose Casemiro pass before unleashing a fierce 25-yard effort that dipped dangerously towards goal, forcing Alisson Becker into an incredible fingertip save over the crossbar.Brazil eventually found their second goal in stoppage time in the first half. In the 45+3rd minute, Bruno Guimarães recycled possession following a partially cleared corner before delivering an accurate cross to the far post. Vinícius drifted from his mark, rose to the top and drove a low header past Gunn to give Brazil a commanding 2-0 lead at the interval.

Cunha completed the win before Neymar returned to the World Cup stage

Brazil continued with the same attacking intent after the break and effectively ended the contest on the hour mark.In the 60th minute, Guimarães again provided the decisive pass, threading an incisive ball through Scotland’s defensive line. Matheus Cunha timed his run perfectly to stay onside before composing himself with the first touch and firing powerfully into the roof of the net for Brazil’s third goal.Despite the scoreline, Scotland continued to create chances of danger. Billy Gilmour produced an excellent through ball that released John McGinn, whose first-time effort beat Alisson but crashed inside the post before Éder Militão completed the clearance. Substitute Tommy Conway also headed wide from a delightful Andy Robertson delivery late in the contest.The biggest ovation of the night came in the 76th minute when Neymar replaced Matheus Cunha. This marks the Brazilian captain’s first World Cup appearance since the quarter-final against Croatia on December 9, 2022, and his first international appearance since suffering a serious knee injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on October 17, 2023.The 34-year-old immediately fell into his familiar playmaking role as Brazil comfortably controlled possession. He made an effort on goal after a free-kick was initially blocked back into his path, hitting first time from distance, although Angus Gunn gathered comfortably.

Vinícius joins the legendary Brazilian company

The brace capped a remarkable night for Vinícius, who finished the group stage with four goals after also scoring once against Morocco, once against Haiti and twice against Scotland.In doing so, he became the first Brazilian player in 24 years to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup, joining an exclusive group of Brazilian greats that includes Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002, Romário in 1994, and Jairzinho during Brazil’s triumphant campaign in 1970. His four goals also place him firmly among the top scorers. scorer of the tournament heading into the knockout rounds, sitting behind Lionel Messi with five goals and level with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, making him a strong contender in the race for the Golden Boot.

Brazil finished top while Scotland faced an anxious wait

Brazil completed Group C unbeaten with seven points, following a 1-1 draw with Morocco, a 3-0 win over Haiti, and a 3-0 win over Scotland.The final Group C standings are complete.

Brazil now advance to the Round of 32 as winners of Group C, carrying strong momentum into the knockout phase after conceding just one goal in the entire group stage.For Scotland, the tournament is not yet mathematically over. Their third-place finish with three points keeps them in contention for one of the eight best third-place qualification spots, although their negative goal difference leaves them dependent on results elsewhere in the remaining group stages to determine whether their 2026 World Cup campaign goes ahead.