Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 this Wednesday (24). The match took place at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, United States. With the result, Brazil is classified for the next stage in first place in Group C and plays against Japan, Netherlands or Sweden in the round of 32 stage.
The Brazilian team arrived at the match as favoritecoming from a draw in the debut with Marracos by 1-1 and a victory against Haiti by 3-0. The team had the absence of Raphinha, who injured his thigh in the last match. Rayan was responsible for the position on the right side of the field. Neymar returned to the team, at least on the bench, available to coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Scotland wanted to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time. They beat weak Haiti 1-0 and lost to Morocco by the same score. THE Steve Clarke’s team dreamed of victory to ensure they would advance to the next stage.
The atmosphere in the stadium before the match seemed like that of a match in Brazil, complete with an anthem sung at full lungs from the stands. Florida is the American state with the most Brazilians as residents.
Goal difference would be the tiebreaker for group leadership if Morocco beat Haiti. Then, every goal was worth gold for Brazil. With 7 minutes left, the Seleção, which was scoring loudly and with intensity, took advantage of a mistake from the defense to open the scoring in Miami. Another goal from Vinícius Júnior, who enters the fight for top scorer with superstars Messi, Haaland and Mbappé.
This wouldn’t be the last. Before going to half-time, the number 7 scored yet another goal with a beautiful pass from Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian has 4 goals, the same as the French and the Norwegian, and one behind the Argentine legend.
In the second half, Bruno Guimarães made a beautiful move, calling the Scottish defense to dance, and left Matheus Cunha in front of the goal, alone to expand. Brazil’s dominance was total, in Ancelotti’s best game with the Seleção at this World Cupand gives a little hope that the team can improve and face the big favorites of the competition.
Vini Jr.’s show
Playing with the strange set of yellow t-shirt, white shorts and white socks, the Canarinho team opened the scoring 7 minutes into the game. Marking Scotland in their field, Rayan took advantage of Scott McKenna’s lack of attention, took his wallet, already making a pass to Vinicius Junior, who continues to have an excellent World Cup.
The Real Madrid star dribbled past goalkeeper Angus Gunn and finished from an open goal. The atmosphere in the stadium continued to push the team. At a time when the crowd was singing loudly, Vini Jr. stole the ball from defender Jack Hendry and scored his second goal. Mexican referee César Ramos Palazuelos understood that the Brazilian did foul when stealing the ball and disallowing the goal.
A decision was very questionable. The Scottish player is the one who kicks the Brazilian player, as Vini takes the lead, not the other way around. The Brazilian fans protested a lot against the decision and sent their traditional message to the referee.
Returning from the hydration break, Scotland came back better and went on the attack for the first time. But Brazilian pressure remained strong. Rayan almost scored a beautiful goal from outside the area, but the ball went off the left post.
Almost at the end of the first half, the Scottish defense still had to clear a ball practically over the line after a good play in the area with Vini Jr., again.
But the ball looks for him and the night was Vini Jr’s. After a fight in the defense, with the ball stolen from Matheus Cunha, he passes it to Bruno Guimarães, who found the number 7 in the second stick, going over the defense and goalkeeper, to finish with a header and score your second goal.
To win and convince
Following the rhythm of the first half, Vini Jr. almost scored the third after a ball passed by Lucas Paquetábut he didn’t hit it hard enough for the ball to go over the Scottish goalkeeper’s leg. He then sent a bomb from outside the area, without fear of testing Gunn.
In a counterattack, Bruno Guimarães danced with the Scottish defense, pulled the marker and left Matheus Cunha alone to increase the score.
Even goalkeeper Alisson was doing well in the match. When he was triggered by a header from Scott McTominay, made a difficult save from a downward header.
There was still one more thing missing. Neymar Jr., who has not played for the Seleção since 2023, returned to the field to wear Amarelinha. Matheus Cunha gave way to number 10.
Neymar did little, but finished a ball into the goal. The decision to put him on the field seemed to be for give game rhythm to the star and respond to the popular clamor for his return. In the end, what really mattered was winning. first place in Group Cwhich puts Brazil in the next phase to face the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the round of 32 stage. Brazil returns to the field next Monday, the 29th.
