Scotland v Brazil
Play By Play
It’s all over in Miami – and potentially all over for Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages – as Brazil top Group C with a commanding 3‑0 win. Vinicius was simply unplayable, especially in that first half, where he had the ball in the net three times, with VAR chalking one off. Inside seven minutes, he punished McKenna’s mistake, and that set the tone. Moments later he struck again after Hendry hesitated, only for the referee to rule he’d fouled in the build‑up after intervention from VAR. It didn’t matter: just before the break he rose brilliantly to head home and underline his quality. Brazil’s control was reflected in a staggering 4.46 xG compared to Scotland’s 1.13, and Manchester United’s Cunha applied the final blow after slick play from Guimaraes opened the angle. Scotland rallied in the latter stages, but their threat in front of goal came far too late to change the story – and that may haunt them if they fail to finish among the best eight third‑placed sides. Now they face a long, gut‑wrenching wait to discover whether their journey continues. Ancelotti’s Brazil march straight into the round of 32 and look every inch a growing force. That’s all from us here in Miami – thanks for joining us, and goodbye.
FULL-TIME: SCOTLAND 0-3 BRAZIL
SO CLOSE FOR SCOTLAND! Alisson spills Ferguson’s inswinging corner, and Ralston is alive to it, snapping up the loose ball. The full‑back drives down the left and picks out McTominay, who meets it on the swivel and fires at goal – but the Liverpool keeper makes himself big to make a heartbreaking save for Brazil!
Ferguson takes the reins over another free‑kick, and it’s flicked over the crossbar by a Brazilian head – Scotland’s pressure earning them a last‑gasp corner.
Neymar’s first brace for Brazil came against Scotland, in a March 2011 friendly – he scored both goals in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in London.
McGinn also makes way for Curtis.
Shankland is withdrawn as part of a double change, with Adams sent on to lead the line.
Six minutes remain here in Miami. One goal – just one – could change everything for Scotland.
Christie drags down Neymar after Brazil move the ball far too quickly for the Scots to live with. It’s a tired challenge, a frustrated one, and the look on his face tells its own story.
BLOCKED! Neymar whips in a corner from the far side, picking out Gabriel, a man who’s prolific in these situations. The Arsenal defender doesn’t go the orthodox route with his head; instead he launches into a scissor‑kick, catching it sweetly and sending it arrowing toward goal. It looked on target, but a Scotland shirt plants himself in the way and takes the full force of it.
Tierney ghosts in at the back post, waiting to catch it clean on the volley – but instead he swings through and connects with the Brazil shirt rather than the ball. It's just not happening for Scotland, and they'll be praying they can somehow scrape through to the knockouts with those three points earned against Haiti.
Fabinho goes into the book for halting McLean’s run, clipping the midfielder’s trailing foot as he tried to burst forward.
Sandro takes the place of Santos.
Rayan has been outstanding down that right side tonight, but his evening is over as Endrick comes on.
Gannon‑Doak, like so many in the Tartan Army tonight, is another who’s struggled to make an impact, and he now makes way for Christie.
Clarke rolls the dice, with Ralston thrown into the fray in place of Patterson.
SAVED! Gunn stands in Vinicius’ way yet again as the Real Madrid winger continues his desperate hunt for that hat‑trick. He opens his body on the left, shaping for the far bottom‑right corner, but instead he whips it back toward the near post. It’s a clever reverse, struck with real disguise, and it forces a sharp reaction from the Scotland keeper, who gets down brilliantly to tip it away.
While Brazil look to have taken care of business here, Morocco have finally edged in front against Haiti – a goal that pulls them level with the Selecao on seven points in Group C.
LISTEN TO THAT NOISE! Neymar is back on the pitch in iconic yellow for the first time since October 2023 – and what a moment this is. Cunha, the man he replaces, gives him a warm embrace, and that image alone tells the whole story.
Tierney battles superbly again down the left and earns a corner off Rayan for his troubles. Ferguson swings it in, but it’s only punched clear – yet the Tartan Army are finally starting to apply some real pressure to this Brazil side.
Scotland work it well inside Brazil territory, and Shankland just about prods it into the path of McTominay. The Scottish talisman tries to sort his feet, but on his weaker side he can only lift the effort over Alisson’s bar.
The ball is rolling again after the pause for players to take on fluids and advice, as we tick into the final 20 minutes.
We’re into the game’s second – and, you’ll be relieved to hear, final – hydration break. Scotland are pushing harder now, but the question lingers: could a single goal here end up being absolutely pivotal when the group stages conclude?
Premier League winner Martinelli gets a run‑out on the flank, coming on to replace Paqueta.
Ancelotti turns to his bench for the first time tonight, with Fabinho coming on to replace Casemiro.
