The Brazilian players to score in the first three games of a World Cup | OneFootball

Vinicius Junior booked Brazil’s place in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 as group winners on Wednesday, after scoring twice in his side’s 3-0 win over Scotland.

The Real Madrid winger has faced criticism for his performances for the national team in the past, but has started the tournament in fine form. Vinicius has scored four goals in three games and trails only Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.

He’s netted in each of Brazil’s games against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, becoming only the fifth Brazilian to score in the opening three games of a World Cup.

The Brazilian players to have scored in the first three games of a World Cup

Jairzinho (1970)

Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning teams is, arguably, the most famous international side of all time.

While Pele stole the headlines with his third World Cup win, Jairzinho played a crucial role in that triumph. The winger scored twice as Czechoslovakia were thrashed 4-1 in the opening goal, before scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over defending champions England.

He netted for the third straight game as Brazil beat Romania 3-2 to progress with a perfect record. Jairzinho was Brazil’s top scorer in the tournament with seven goals, including the third in the 4-1 final win over Italy.

Romario (1994)

Romario won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s standout player, as Brazil claimed World Cup success in 1994.

The forward started the tournament in fine form, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Russia in Stanford. He was on target again as Brazil beat Cameroon 3-0 in the second game of the group, before scoring again in a 1-1 draw with Sweden.

Romario ended the tournament with five goals. He added further efforts in a thrilling quarter-final win over the Netherlands, and the decisive goal in a semi-final rematch with Sweden. He was later named FIFA World Player of the Year for 1994.

Ronaldo Nazario (1994)

Ronaldo’s route to the 2002 World Cup had been an arduous one. Career-threatening knee issues saw him miss the entire qualification campaign and much of the two-and-a-half years prior to the tournament.

Luiz Felipe Scolari gambled on the forward after a brief return at Inter Milan, and was rewarded. Ronaldo scored in each of Brazil’s group games against Turkey, China, and Costa Rica, netting four goals.

His form continued throughout the tournament, as Ronaldo scored in every game except a quarter-final win over England. O Fenômeno’s double sealed a 2-0 win over Germany in the final, earning him the Golden Boot and Brazil a fifth world crown.

Ronaldo’s redemption at the 2002 World Cup

Rivaldo (2002)

Brazil had two players score in their opening three games of the 2002 World Cup. Alongside Ronaldo, Rivaldo also netted in all three group games as the South Americans eased into the knockout rounds.

Alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, the ‘Three R’s’ inspired Brazil to World Cup success, with Rivaldo’s five goals only bettered by his Golden Boot-winning teammate.

Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior has become the fifth Brazilian to achieve the feat, after scoring against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland (2).

Vinicius had scored only nine goals in his previous 49 appearances for Brazil, and only three at major tournaments. However, he’s started the 2026 World Cup with a bang, as he looks to replicate his club success in the famous yellow of Brazil.

Read – World Cup Day 14: Brazil beat Scotland, South Africa make history

See more – Iconic Performances: Rivaldo and the greatest hat-trick ever scored

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