Vinícius Jr breaks 24-year-old record with brace against Scotland, enters Golden Boot race and joins Brazil’s elite | Football News:
Vinícius Júnior continued his outstanding FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign by writing his name in Brazilian football history during the Seleção’s 3-0 win over Scotland. The Real Madrid forward scored twice in Miami to become the first Brazilian player in 24 years to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup, equaling a feat last achieved by Ronaldo Nazário and Rivaldo during Brazil’s triumphant campaign in 2002.The brace also lifted Vinícius to four goals in this tournament, placing him firmly among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot as Brazil advanced to the Round of 32 as Group C winners.
Vinícius joins an exclusive list of Brazilian legends
Brazil has produced some of the greatest forwards the World Cup has ever seen, but only five players have scored in each of the country’s three group stage games at a tournament.Vinícius now joins Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), Ronaldo (2002) and Rivaldo (2002) in that exclusive list, becoming the first Brazilian in almost a quarter of a century to reach the milestone.His remarkable consistency came throughout Brazil’s group stage campaign. He opened his account at the tournament by saving a 1-1 draw against Morocco before scoring and providing an assist during Brazil’s comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti. Against Scotland, he turned in his best performance, scoring twice to complete the record-breaking streak.
Scotland were punished by Vinícius’ clinical finish
Brazil needed just seven minutes to establish control in Miami. Pressing Scotland high up the pitch, Vinícius took advantage of an errant pass from Scott McKenna, collected the loose ball inside the penalty area and calmly guided a low finish past Angus Gunn to give Brazil an early lead.
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)
He thought he had doubled the advantage midway through the first half after another flurry of moves, only for VAR to disallow the goal due to a foul by Marquinhos in the build-up.The second goal eventually came deep into stoppage time in the first half. After Bruno Guimarães recycled possession from a partially cleared corner, he delivered an impressive cross towards the far post. Vinícius timed his move perfectly, rose above his marker and drove a low header past Gunn to put Brazil firmly in front of the interval.
Vinicius Junior (7) of Brazil scores his team’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)
Matheus Cunha added Brazil’s third goal in the 60th minute to complete the win, while Neymar made his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute, appearing in a World Cup match for the first time since Brazil’s quarter-final loss to Croatia in Qatar four years ago.
Brazil completed the group stage unbeaten
The victory clinched first place in Group C as Brazil ended their group stage campaign unbeaten with seven points, following a 1-1 draw against Morocco and back-to-back 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland.Vinícius was central to that process. In three games he scored four goals and registered one assist, bringing his total Brazil tally to 13 international goals in 52 appearances.His performances also changed the race for the Golden Boot. Lionel Messi currently leads the tournament with five goals after his brace against Austria, while Vinícius moved to four alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, ensuring that the race for the tournament’s top scorer remains one of the definitive stories heading into the knockout rounds.Brazil now enter the Round of 32 carrying significant momentum, with Vinícius emerging as the focal point of Carlo Ancelotti’s attack and continuing to place himself alongside some of the greatest goalscorers in the Seleção’s World Cup history.
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