Brazil secure Group C title as Vinicius Junior stars in 3-0 win over Scotland
Brazil top Group C and advance to the last 32 after a dominant performance against Scotland, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third.
Brazil have secured top spot in Group C and a place in the World Cup last 32 following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday. The win guarantees the five-time champions will face the runner-up from Group F in Houston on June 29, with the potential opponents identified as the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden.
Vinicius Junior was the architect of Brazil’s dominance, scoring twice to take his tournament tally to four goals. He opened the scoring in the seventh minute by capitalising on a defensive error from Scotland’s Scott McKenna, who had started in place of the injured Grant Hanley. Vinicius also headed in a second goal in first-half stoppage time, although a potential strike midway through the half was disallowed after a VAR check determined he had clipped Jack Hendry’s leg.
Matheus Cunha added a third goal in the 60th minute, finishing off a build-up involving Bruno Guimaraes. The result means Vinicius Junior is now the first Brazilian to score in every group game at a World Cup since Ronaldo and Rivaldo achieved the feat in 2002. With four goals, he is level with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, sitting one goal behind Lionel Messi.
Neymar made his first international appearance in over two-and-a-half years, coming on as a substitute for Cunha in the 76th minute. The Brazil captain had been absent from the national side since October 2023 due to injury. His return was met with significant applause from the crowd, though it did little to alter the match’s outcome or Scotland’s precarious position.
Scotland remain in danger of an early exit, sitting third in Group C with three points and a minus-three goal difference. They must await the results of other groups to determine if they can qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Morocco finished second in Group C with seven points, behind Brazil on goal difference, after their 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta. Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson Becker was instrumental in preserving the clean sheet, making two key saves to deny Scotland’s Scott McTominay.
