Scotland face elimination as Brazil seize on mistakes for huge win at FIFA World Cup

Thursday, 25 June 2026

Vinícius Júnior scored two goals and Matheus Cunha a third as five-time World Cup champions Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 on Thursday (NZ time) to advance the knockout round in Miami.

Vinícius — who has a goal in all three of Brazil's group matches — scored in the seventh minute and again just before halftime, tying Kylian Mbappé with of France with four goals, one behind Lionel Messi's tournament-leading five.

Neymar entered as a substitute in the 76th, making his debut after a right calf injury sidelined him for Brazil's first two matches. The majority-Brazilian crowd at Hard Rock Stadium began chanting his name midway through the second half as he got off the bench and began doing warm-up sprints on the sideline — and fans roared as he trotted onto the pitch.

He is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 130 international appearances. The 34-year-old forward appeared in each of the past three World Cups for Brazil, scoring eight goals.

Scotland are playing in their first World Cup since 1998 and have become one of the more interesting teams of the tournament. Their dedicated fans, known as the Tartan Army, brought a party atmosphere to the Boston and Miami areas ahead of their team's matches.

The Scottish haven’t advanced past the group stage in nine tries and will need results elsewhere to go their way after finishing third. Only eight of the best third-placed teams escape the group stage.

Meanwhile, Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine came off the bench to help Morocco rally for a 4-2 victory over Haiti and erase the Caribbean nation's hopes of a first point at the World Cup.

Morocco twice came from behind against a team playing at football's biggest tournament for the first time in 52 years.

Rahimi’s deflected shot in the 78th minute put Morocco ahead 3-2 and Yassine killed off any chance of an upset with a goal in the 89th.

Morocco advanced to the round of 32 in second place behind Brazil.

For full World Cup coverage, go to our World Cup section.

HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED