Brazil cruises, Canada advances, and South Africa springs the night’s upset at the 2026 World Cup

Six World Cup 2026 matches were played overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, with Brazil’s win over Scotland as the headline result, but several other teams also shaped the tournament picture.

Brazil beat Scotland 3-0. Vinicius Junior scored twice, taking advantage of two major Scottish mistakes, in the 8th minute and in first-half stoppage time, and Matheus Cunha added a third after heavy pressure in the box. Neymar entered in the 76th minute and, according to the report, looked good enough to delight the fans.

Switzerland defeated Canada 2-1 to secure first place in the group. Johan Manzambi, one of the tournament’s breakout players, assisted Ruben Vargas in the 46th minute and scored himself in the 57th, before Promise David, his club teammate at Union Saint-Gilloise with Anan Khalaili, pulled one back in the 76th. Canada will therefore play the round of 32 away from home, becoming the first host nation ever to do so.

Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 and are close to advancing with four points. Kerim Alajbegovic scored in the 29th minute, an own goal by Mahmoud Abunad followed in the 34th, and although Hisham Al Haydos reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute, Armin Hmec put the result beyond doubt.

Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2, with Wilson Isidor scoring a superb second goal for Haiti, but substitute Sofiane Rahimi changed the game by scoring and assisting, sending Morocco through from second place and likely into a matchup with the Netherlands. Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 to finish with a perfect group record, thanks to goals by Mateo Chavez in the 55th minute and Julian Quinones in the 61st, while veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa appeared in his fifth World Cup, drawing warm recognition from his teammates.

The night’s shock came from South Africa, which beat South Korea 1-0. Substitute Tapanng Moreni set up Tapelo Maseko in the 63rd minute, and despite only 32% possession, the Africans created the more dangerous chances and earned a round-of-32 meeting with Canada.