Brazil Files FIFA Protest After VAR Controversy, Citing Messi Goal

Brazil qualified for the round of 32 as Group leaders after beating Scotland 3-0 in Miami, following a 1-1 draw with Morocco and a convincing win over Haiti. Vinicius Junior scored twice and Matheus Cunha added the third, but coach Carlo Ancelotti was still angered by the officiating.

Brazil’s main complaint centered on a first-half goal by Vinicius that was disallowed after VAR review. He had intercepted the ball from Jack Hendry and beaten Angus Gunn, but the referee ruled that Vinicius had fouled Hendry. The decision denied him a hat-trick and could affect the Golden Boot race. In the second half, after Vinicius made it 2-0, Ancelotti reportedly shouted at the fourth official: “Cancel that goal too, you son of a b****.”

According to the Brazilian newspaper Estadao, Brazil has now lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, arguing that VAR in the tournament has not been applied consistently. In its statement, the federation said the system should intervene only for “clear and obvious” errors, and that the disallowed goal against Scotland in the 21st minute did not match that philosophy. Brazil also said Scotland’s players themselves appeared surprised the goal was overturned.

The Brazilians also cited a Lionel Messi goal for Argentina as part of their argument. They said Alexis Mac Allister’s challenge on Xaver Schlager in the buildup to Messi’s goal against Austria was similar to the Vinicius incident, yet Messi’s goal was allowed to stand. Brazil further complained about the appointment of referee Cesar Arturo Ramos, recalling that it had protested against him at the 2018 World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Brazil will face Japan in the round of 16 in Houston on Monday, June 29.