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Brazil secured top spot in World Cup Group C with a commanding 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami on Wednesday, as Vinícius Júnior struck twice and Neymar made his first international appearance in nearly three years. The five-time world champions finished the group stage unbeaten, while Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history now hang by a thread.
Vinícius opened the scoring in the 25th minute, capitalising on defensive hesitation before doubling the lead just before half-time. Matheus Cunha added a third in the 68th minute to seal Brazil’s passage to the last 32 as group winners. Neymar, introduced in the 70th minute, received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd as he marked his return to the Seleção with a cameo appearance .
Scotland, who had never advanced beyond the group stage at a World Cup, now face an uphill battle to progress. With three points and a goal difference of -3, their fate depends on results elsewhere in the group. Morocco, who recovered from two deficits to beat Haiti 4-2, finished second in Group C on goal difference, while Haiti were eliminated without a point .
Neymar’s return after more than two and a half years out injured was the emotional highlight of the night. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward, who last played for Brazil in November 2023, was greeted with chants of “Neymar! Neymar!” as he entered the field. His presence electrified the crowd and provided a symbolic boost ahead of the knockout rounds .
Brazil’s victory was built on clinical finishing and defensive solidity, though Scotland’s errors proved costly. A series of defensive lapses allowed Vinícius to exploit space repeatedly, while VAR intervened to disallow an early Scotland equaliser for a marginal offside call. The Scottish press framed the defeat as another chapter in their World Cup struggles, with outlets noting that the nation has failed to progress from the group stage in every appearance since 1998 .
With the group concluded, Brazil will face a second-round tie against either Japan or Sweden, while Morocco await a potential clash with the Netherlands. Scotland’s elimination, if confirmed, would mark the first time in World Cup history that a home nation (co-hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada) fails to advance from the group stage.
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