Brazil advances to knockout stages after Vinicius double, Neymar returns

By Rohan Gupta — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

Brazil Secures Knockout Stage Spot

Brazil has advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup following a 3-0 victory over Scotland in their final Group C match. The win saw Vinicius Junior score twice, with Neymar also making his first appearance for Brazil in nearly three years. The match took place at a packed Miami Stadium, where 64,478 fans watched Carlo Ancelotti’s side secure the top spot in their group with seven points. Morocco finished second in the group after a 4-2 win against Haiti.

Vinicius Junior has now scored in every game of the tournament, bringing his total to four goals. This places him alongside Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the scoring charts, just one goal behind Lionel Messi. Coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting improvements from previous matches and highlighting the importance of Neymar’s return.

Early Goals and Dominant Performance

Scotland boss Steve Clarke had anticipated an attacking start from Brazil, and his prediction proved accurate as the South Americans scored within seven minutes. The opening goal came when Scott McKenna failed to clear the ball, allowing Rayan to set up an unmarked Vinicius Junior, who then tapped the ball into an empty net past goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Brazil nearly scored a second goal before the first hydration break when Vinicius Junior again found the net after taking the ball from Jack Hendry. However, the goal was overturned by the referee following a VAR check, which indicated a foul by the Brazilian player. Despite this, Brazil maintained a combative approach throughout the first half, while Scotland struggled to create chances, ending the half without any shots on target.

The second goal for Brazil arrived just before half-time. Bruno Guimaraes crossed the ball to the far post after Brazil won possession high up the pitch, and Vinicius Junior headed it home for his second goal of the match. This two-goal lead allowed Brazil to display their full range of skills, with intricate flicks and one-touch passes through Scotland’s midfield.

Neymar’s Return and Cunha’s Contribution

In the second half, Brazil continued to press for a third goal, which eventually came through another midfield move. Bruno Guimaraes secured his second assist of the game, setting up Matheus Cunha for his third goal of the tournament. Cunha described the experience as a dream come true, expressing confidence in the team’s improvement and their ambition to win their sixth title.

The most significant moment for many fans was the return of Neymar. Carlo Ancelotti brought the 34-year-old onto the field for his first appearance in a Brazil shirt since October 2023. Neymar quickly combined with Vinicius Junior, creating three chances within 13 minutes of his introduction, much to the delight of the crowd.

Scotland’s attacking efforts remained largely ineffective throughout the match. Goalkeeper Alisson remained a strong presence, denying Scotland a late chance and helping Brazil maintain a clean sheet. Scotland will now await results to see if they can qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, despite a goal difference of minus three.

Source: aljazeera.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter