It was all smiles for Carlo Ancelotti and the Brazil national team in the early hours of Thursday morning as the Selecao beat Scotland 3-0 to top Group C at the 2026 World Cup, but Napoli’s Scott McTominay and his compatriots now face a nervous wait to see if they have done enough to qualify for the knock-out rounds.
Ancelotti and Brazil into World Cup knock-outs, anxious wait for Scotland and McTominay
A brace from Vinicius Jr. and a 60th-minute strike from Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha handed Brazil a 3-0 victory over a Scotland side featuring several Serie A talents in McTominay, Lewis Ferguson and Che Adams.
There was even an opportunity for Ancelotti to hand the legendary Neymar his first minutes at the 2026 World Cup off the bench in the second half against Scotland.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 24: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, speaks with Neymar Jr #10 as he prepares to be substituted in during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The result means that Brazil have qualified for the round of 32 as winners of Group C on 7 points, bettering Morocco (also on 7 point) on goal difference.
Brazil will face the runner-up from Group F in the round of 32. As things stand, that will be Japan, but the Netherlands and Sweden are also among the potential opponents depending on the final group stage results.
McTominay and Scotland have finished Group C in third place with three points from three matches: Their only victory coming in a 1-0 win against Haiti in the opening round. Now, Scotland must wait until the completion of the group stage to see if they have done enough to qualify for the knock-out rounds as one of the best third-place finishers.
As things stand, Scotland are in the round of 32, but there are still nine groups left to be completed and it remains to be seen whether their tally of three points and a goal difference of -3 will be enough.
In an alarming stat for the Scots, McTominay’s 60th-minute header was the nation’s first shot on target in over 200 minutes at the 2026 World Cup, and their first since John McGinn’s goal in the 1-0 victory over Haiti in the opening round of group stage fixtures.
