Brazil Top Group with 3-0 Win; Neymar Returns from Injury
Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 on Wednesday, sealing their position at the top of Group C in the FIFA World Cup. Vinicius Junior scored twice, and Matheus Cunha added a goal to secure the victory. The win ensures Brazil tops their group for the 12th consecutive World Cup.
The match also marked the return of Neymar Jr to international football. The 34-year-old forward had been sidelined since October 2023 with a calf strain and last played for Santos on May 17. He came on as a substitute in the 76th minute with Brazil already leading 3-0. Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 129 appearances, and has played in the past three World Cups, scoring eight goals.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the match: “We played well, it was a more complete performance. Neymar's introduction is important and could help us a great deal.” Scotland captain Andrew Robertson expressed uncertainty about his team's chances: “We now have to wait and see if we can finish as one of the best third-placed teams. Time will tell.”
In another Group C match, Morocco overcame a scare to beat Haiti 4-2. Haiti, already eliminated, took the lead twice in the first half through Lenny Joseph and Wilson Isidor. Morocco equalized through Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari. In the second half, substitutes Soufiane Rahimi and Yassine Gessime scored late to secure Morocco's win and second place in the group behind Brazil.
Meanwhile, Argentina celebrated captain Lionel Messi's 39th birthday on Wednesday. Argentina has already qualified for the knockout stage, and Messi is the tournament's career scoring leader with 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappé. He has scored all five of Argentina's goals so far: three against Algeria and two against Austria. Messi celebrated with teammates at the team's training base in Kansas City, sharing a photo on social media of a cake made by an Argentine-owned bakery. Teammates wore T-shirts featuring personal photos with Messi.
