Brazil Cruises Past Scotland as Neymar Makes Emotional Return

Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 overnight Wednesday to Thursday at the 2026 World Cup, finished top of Group 3 and advanced to the next round, though their opponent is still unknown. After a shaky start against Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti’s team looked back in rhythm, led by Vinicius Junior and a long-awaited cameo from Neymar.

Vinicius was the standout on the scoreboard, scoring twice to reach four goals at this World Cup. He became only the fifth Brazil player to score in all three group-stage matches, joining Jairzinho in 1970, Romario in 1994, and Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002. Brazil won the tournament in each of those years, a stat that will fuel hopes at home. Vinicius also now has seven goals in 13 matches for Brazil under Ancelotti, more than double his previous return of six in 39 matches. Matheus Cunha added Brazil’s other goal, his third of the tournament, and he and Vinicius have scored every Brazil goal so far.

The emotional highlight came in the 76th minute, when Cunha was replaced by Neymar, who was appearing in his first national-team match since October 2023. It was his first World Cup appearance in 981 days and his fourth overall. Neymar later said, “I was excited.” Brazilian media said he returned after about a month and a half without football, played centrally with freedom to drift left, and looked increasingly fit. Spanish paper Marca wrote that Brazil fans had been begging for him to enter, and called it a chance for his “last dance” on the pitch.

The night also included a touching moment for Mexico. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who has played five World Cups and reached the round of 16 four times, came on in the 78th minute in what was effectively a farewell appearance after announcing his retirement from football last week. Mexico were already 2-0 up, had secured a perfect group-stage record, and Ochoa was lifted onto teammates’ shoulders afterward and cried.