🎥 Vini delivers, Neymar debuts in the Copa and 🇧🇷 storm into knockouts | OneFootball

FIFA World Cup 2026 is increasingly becoming Vinicius Júnior’s stage.

Thanks to his two goals — which could have been three — the Brazilian National Team is heading to the first knockout round of the FIFA World Cup as the leader of Group C.

Check out the match highlights below:

Playing at Hard Rock Stadium, Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 this Wednesday (24). They reached seven points, leaving Morocco — also through — in second place. 

"Surfer" Matheus Cunha also got his goal. Bruno Guimarães stood out immensely, and Neymar made his World Cup debut. 

Brazil will face the runner-up of Group F in the first knockout round of the World Cup.

That could be Japan, Sweden, or the Netherlands. The match is next Monday (29), starting at 2 p.m. (Brasília time).

The final decision will come this Thursday (25), starting at 8 p.m. (Brasília time).

🔥 ABSURD numbers, okay?

Vini scored Brazil’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Morocco.

He was involved in the first against Haiti, provided the assist for the second, and also got one himself.

And he was more than decisive by finding the net twice this Wednesday. 

A total of FOUR GOALS, one assist, and another direct involvement.

The No. 7 joined a more than select list for Brazil at World Cups.

Only Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), and the duo Rivaldo and Ronaldo (both in 2002) had scored at least one goal in all three group-stage matches of a World Cup. 

🔥 His SHOW and refereeing in the spotlight

Brazil’s first goal came in the eighth minute. 

McKenna made a mistake playing out from the back under pressure from the alert Rayan, who intercepted it.

And it fell to none other than Vini Jr. to take advantage in the seventh minute.

The second could have come in the 22nd minute.

But referee César Ramos was called to the monitor to review a possible foul by the Brazilian.

And he ended up agreeing with the VAR review.

The replays of the play, however, made the decision even more controversial.

The footage showed Vini putting his left foot in front of Hendry, who then caught the No. 7 with his right foot. 

Vini would get his second before the end of the first half.

The goal came after a cross from Bruno Guimarães and without VAR "getting involved."

Only Messi (five goals) has celebrated more than him so far.

Ride the wave, Matheus Cunha! 🏄🏽?♂️

After being decisive against Haiti, the No. 9 celebrated again.

Another great play by Bruno Guimarães ended with his goal (60').

His third in this World Cup. 

Neymar is BACK 🔟

Ancelotti rested the yellow-carded Casemiro, went with Martinelli, and Scotland started to "believe" more. They even made Alisson work.

The third substitution brought Neymar on in the 76th minute.

Ending a drought with the national team that had lasted since October 17, 2023 — the date he was injured against Uruguay.

He was heavily involved. He tried one-twos, took a free kick, and had a shot on target. 

Only Djalma Santos, Pelé, and Cafu played at least one match in four different World Cups for Brazil.

Nilton Santos, Ronaldo, and Thiago Silva were part of four editions, but did not play in 1950, 1994, and 2010, respectively. 

Goalkeeper Castilho, meanwhile, was a starter in 1954 and a backup in 1950, 1958, and 1962.

Ancelotti also "held back" Douglas Santos and gave more minutes to Endrick.

Brazil won, convinced, and heads strongly into the knockout stage.

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

📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors