Brazil thrash Scotland 3-0 as Neymar makes emotional return

Brazil delivered a powerful reminder of its World Cup credentials with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Scotland in its final Group C match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing top spot in the group and booking a place in the knockout stage in style.

The match, played in Miami before a crowd of more than 64,000 fans, was marked by the long-awaited return of Brazilian superstar Neymar, who made his first appearance for the national team in nearly three years.

Brazil wasted little time asserting its dominance. Just seven minutes into the contest, Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring after capitalizing on a defensive mistake. A misplaced ball from Scottish defender Scott McKenna allowed Brazil to launch a quick attack, and Vinícius calmly beat goalkeeper Angus Gunn to give his side an early lead.

The South American giants continued to dictate the tempo and nearly doubled their advantage before halftime when Vinícius found the net again. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review that detected a foul in the buildup.

Brazil’s relentless pressure eventually paid off once more in the closing moments of the first half. A pinpoint cross from Bruno Guimarães found Vinícius, who headed home his second goal of the night and fourth of the tournament, strengthening his position in the race for the Golden Boot.

Scotland struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the match, while Brazil remained in complete control after the break. The third goal arrived when Matheus Cunha finished off a flowing team move, with Guimarães providing his second assist of the evening.

The most emotional moment came when head coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Neymar in the second half. The 34-year-old forward received a standing ovation from supporters as he stepped onto the field for his first international appearance since October 2023.

Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker also played his part, making several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.

With seven points, Brazil finished atop Group C, while Morocco secured second place after defeating Haiti. The victory reinforced Brazil’s status as one of the tournament favorites, and Neymar’s return has only heightened excitement among fans dreaming of a sixth World Cup title.