Vini dazzles, Cunha surfs, Neymar debuts as Brazil put 3 past Scotland | OneFootball

With a gala performance, Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami this Wednesday (24) and secured qualification as Group C leaders. The match featured a masterclass from Vini, now the top scorer of the “Ancelotti era,” another goal from Cunha, and Neymar’s long-awaited World Cup debut. Brazil will face the runner-up of Group F on Monday (29) at 2 p.m. in Houston.

It took only a few minutes for Brazil to show they would leave Hard Rock Stadium in first place in Group C. With an aggressive team and high pressing lines, Brazil gave Scotland no room to breathe.

This attitude from the Seleção was illustrated by Bruno Guimarães in the fourth minute. The midfielder took advantage of a poor Scottish buildup, drove forward and crossed into the box, but Gunn claimed the ball.

Vini Jr opened the scoring, became the top scorer of the "Ancelotti era," and led Brazil on the pitchCredits: FIFA Disclosure

Two minutes later, though, Vini put on a show. And Gunn was left dancing. It all started when Rayan blocked McKenna’s pass, creating an assist for the No. 7. Vini controlled it, sent the goalkeeper to the ground with a dribble, and finished to open the scoring and become the top scorer of the Ancelotti era with six goals.

For Scotland, all that was left was to resort to direct balls, the famous lofted crosses, or set pieces, since with compact lines and all sectors working together, Brazil gave the Europeans very little space.

Going forward, Brazil kept up the intense pace. And during an opposition buildup, Vini took advantage of a lapse by Hendry, stole the ball and nutmegged Gunn to score the second. The Mexican referee, however, disallowed the goal after a VAR review indicated a possible foul in the play.

Vini and Paquetá celebrate the second goal against ScotlandCredits: FIFA Disclosure

Dominant and dictating the pace of the game, Brazil also tried with two shots from outside the box: Rayan, after winning the ball back and getting it back from Bruno Guimarães, and Matheus Cunha, who tried to curl one to surprise the Scottish goalkeeper. Both went wide.

But with a high volume of play, Brazil kept piling up chances. And when Cunha won the ball and passed to Bruno Guimarães, the midfielder delivered a pinpoint cross to Vini, who positioned himself behind Hendry and headed home to extend the lead.

And there could have been more: Rayan received a long ball, controlled it past Hendry and hit it with his right foot, but Gunn closed the angle and sent it out for a corner.

Riding high: Matheus Cunha once again made his mark and reached three goals at the World CupCredits: FIFA Disclosure

In the second half, Scotland came back determined to reduce the damage and began forcing more attacking plays, as the risk of missing out on qualification in third place increased as the clock ticked on.

McTominay was the first to test Alisson, who denied the Scottish side’s best player with a great save from a header. Shankland, also with a header, tried as well, but without danger.

At the other end, Brazil remained supreme and produced their best performance of this World Cup. In the 14th minute of the second half, Casemiro found Bruno Guimarães with a fine pass, and he burst into the box, drew the defense inside, and laid it off to the right for Matheus Cunha to score the third.

Cunha repays Bruno Guimarães’ sweet assist by "polishing" the midfielder’s bootCredits: FIFA Disclosure

With the game under control, coach Carlo Ancelotti took the opportunity to rest the team. And make it even more star-studded: in the 30th minute, Cunha left the field for Neymar, the Seleção’s all-time top scorer, to come on.

The No. 10, with his very first involvement, set Vini up in front of goal. The No. 7 nearly scored his third. There was still time for McTominay to get another good chance, but he blasted it over Alisson’s goal.

Brazil’s great World Cup display ended with a clean sheet, top spot in the group, and confidence soaring. Let the Group F runner-up come, whoever it may be.

match details

BRAZIL 3-0 Scotland (2-0)

Competition: World Cup

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (USA)

Gate receipts: not disclosed. Attendance: 64,478

Goals: Vini Jr (6’, 47’), Matheus Cunha (59’).

Yellow cards: Danilo, Fabinho

Referee: Cesar Ramos (Mexico). Assistants: Alberto Morin (Mexico) and Marcos Bisguerra (Mexico). VAR: Guillermo Pacheco (Mexico)

BRAZIL: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos (Alex Sandro, 82’); Casemiro (Fabinho, 66’), Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá (Martinelli, 66’); Rayan (Endrick, 82’), Matheus Cunha (Neymar, 76’) and Vini Jr. Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

SCOTLAND: Gunn; Patterson (Ralston, 81’), Hendry, McKenna and Robertson (Tierney, 46’); Ferguson, McLean, McTominay, McGinn (Curtis, 91’), Ben Doak (Christie, 81’); Shankland (Adams, 91’). Coach: Steve Clarke

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.