Brazil sealed first place in Group C with a commanding 3-0 victory over Scotland at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, a result that owed as much to Scottish defensive generosity as to the clinical finishing of Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid forward pounced on a seventh-minute error by Scott McKenna, rounding goalkeeper Angus Gunn to score, and then headed in a second deep into first-half stoppage time after another turnover. Matheus Cunha added a third on the hour, converting a pass from Bruno Guimarães, before the night’s loudest cheer greeted the 76th-minute introduction of Neymar, back in a Brazil shirt for the first time since October 2023.

The contest was effectively decided by two moments of carelessness from a Scotland side that had built its recent identity on defensive organisation. McKenna’s casual pass inside his own area was intercepted by Rayan, and Vinicius needed no second invitation. A second goal, also from a dispossession of Jack Hendry, was disallowed after a VAR review judged a foul by Vinicius, a decision that divided pundits but did little to alter the flow. Brazil, having drawn with Morocco and laboured past Haiti, produced their most complete performance of the group stage, pressing high and controlling the tempo without ever needing to reach top gear.

Brazilian observers noted the team’s growing cohesion under Carlo Ancelotti, with Vinicius now on four goals for the tournament, level with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland and one behind Lionel Messi. The five-time champions finished level on seven points with Morocco, who beat Haiti 4-2, but took the group on goal difference. For Scotland, the defeat leaves them third with three points and a goal difference of minus three, their hopes of a first-ever knockout-round appearance now dependent on results elsewhere in the expanded 48-team format. European analysts pointed to the uncharacteristic errors as the decisive factor, with head coach Steve Clarke conceding his side had “given them the goals.”

Brazil will face the runner-up from Group F — likely the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden — in Houston on 29 June, while Scotland must wait to learn whether they will progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. The return of Neymar, who had been sidelined with a calf injury, adds another dimension to a Brazil attack that already looks among the tournament’s most potent.