Vinicius Junior double fires Brazil past struggling Scotland
Brazil marched into the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage after dismantling Scotland 3-0 in their final Group C encounter at Miami Stadium. Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior delivered an exceptional first-half double, while Matheus Cunha added a third goal after the interval to guarantee top spot for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Defensive errors plagued the European side early. Rayan intercepted a stray Scott McKenna pass in the seventh minute, feeding Vinicius Junior who calmly bypassed goalkeeper Angus Gunn to open the scoring. This strike placed the winger in elite company, making him the first Brazilian player since Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo in 2002 to score in three consecutive opening World Cup fixtures. Historically, whenever a Selecao star achieves this specific milestone, the South American giants go on to lift the trophy.
Bruno Guimaraes orchestrated the remaining damage, delivering a precise cross for Vinicius to head home just before halftime, later assisting Cunha for a clinical 60th-minute finish. Fans in Odisha and across India tracking the global tournament also witnessed a major boost as talisman Neymar returned from injury as a late substitute. Morocco accompanied the group winners into the next round, while Scotland must await other results to see if they qualify as a top third-placed team.
Image Courtesy: ANI
