Vinícius Júnior is making this World Cup his personal highlight reel. The Brazilian winger scored twice against Scotland on Wednesday, pushing Brazil into the knockout stage as Group C winners with a 3-0 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
That gives him four goals and an assist through three group games. But the stat that really turns heads? He’s the first Brazilian to score in all three group-stage matches since Ronaldo and Rivaldo both did it in 2002. Before them, Romário in 1994 and Jairzinho in 1970. And before that, nobody. That’s the company Vini is keeping right now.
The first goal came early. Scotland’s Scott McKenna tried to play out from the back under pressure from Rayan, who poked the ball loose. It rolled right to Vini, and he buried it in the seventh minute. Eight minutes in, Brazil was already up.
He thought he had a second in the 22nd minute, but referee César Ramos went to the monitor after VAR flagged a potential foul. The replay showed Vini sticking his left foot in front of Jack Hendry, who then caught Vini’s foot. Ramos called it a foul. The broadcast angles made it look soft, but the call stood.
No matter. Vini got his second before halftime anyway, finishing a cross from Bruno Guimarães. No VAR needed that time. Guimarães was everywhere in this game — pulling strings, breaking lines, setting up goals. He’s been Brazil’s quiet engine all tournament.
Matheus Cunha got in on the action in the 60th minute, also off a feed from Guimarães. That’s three goals for Cunha in this World Cup, which is not bad for a guy some people still call a “surfer” for his laid-back vibe.
Carlo Ancelotti rested Casemiro, who was carrying a yellow card. He went with Gabriel Martinelli instead, and Scotland actually started getting chances. Alisson had to make a couple saves. But it never really felt tight.
The big moment came in the 76th minute when Neymar subbed in for his first World Cup action. It ended a national team drought that stretched back to October 2023 — that Uruguay qualifier where he tore his ACL. He looked sharp. Tried some one-twos. Took a free kick. Put a shot on target. Nothing spectacular, but the rust isn’t as bad as some expected.
That appearance also puts Neymar in rare company. Only Djalma Santos, Pelé and Cafu have played in four different World Cups for Brazil. Nilton Santos, Ronaldo and Thiago Silva were part of four squads but didn’t actually play in one of them. Neymar’s now fourth on the all-time appearances list for Brazil at the tournament.
Ancelotti also gave Douglas Santos some rest and got Endrick minutes off the bench. Brazil rolls into the Round of 16 with seven points, one ahead of Morocco. They’ll face the Group F runner-up on Monday at 2 p.m. Brasília time. That could be Japan, Sweden or the Netherlands — that Group F final round happens Thursday.
This Brazilian team looks legit. Vini is playing like the best player on the planet right now. Guimarães is controlling games. The defense has been solid. And now they’ve got Neymar working back into shape. That’s a problem for whoever draws them.
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