Brazil’s gamers have fun after the match in opposition to Scotland in Group C match of Fifa World Cup 2026 at Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, US on June 24, 2026. — Reuters
Brazil capitalised on Scotland’s defensive weaknesses to e book a spot within the World Cup spherical of 32 on Wednesday, whereas South Africa, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina made historical past by reaching the knockout stage for the primary time.
5-time World Cup champions Brazil clinched first place in Group C after defeating Scotland 3-0 in Miami, topping the group on purpose distinction from second-placed Morocco, who secured their passage after battling to a 4-2 win over Haiti in Atlanta.
South Africa surprised South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey to seize second place in Group A and arrange a final 32 conflict with Canada, who additionally made historical past by advancing in second place from Group B.
However Brazil’s victory on the Laborious Rock Stadium left Scotland on the point of elimination, dampening the temper among the many travelling hordes of the well-known Tartan Military.
The Scots have been left ruing a shaky defensive show as Brazil cruised to a cushty win. Vinicius Junior scored twice for Brazil, pouncing on a horrendous blunder by Scott McKenna to fireside the South People forward within the seventh minute.
The Actual Madrid striker then nodded in Brazil’s second in first-half stoppage time earlier than Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha added a 3rd within the sixtieth minute.
Brazil’s win additionally noticed coach Carlo Ancelotti give veteran striker Neymar his first look of the event, the Selecao’s all-time main scorer approaching as a second-half substitute.
“We played as a collective and that’s a good thing,” a happy Ancelotti stated afterwards. “There are many positive things, such as Neymar’s appearance, which can help us.”
Morocco additionally confirmed their progress to the World Cup final 32 however twice needed to come from behind to get the higher of plucky Haiti with a 4-2 win in an action-packed sport on Wednesday and fell wanting topping Brazil within the Group C standings.
Morocco completed degree on seven factors with the five-times world champions, who beat Scotland 3-0, however are runners-up on purpose distinction and can play the Group F winners, Netherlands, Japan or Sweden, on Monday within the first knockout spherical.
South Africa shocker
The largest shock of the day got here in Monterrey the place South Africa — who started the event with an abject 2-0 loss to Mexico — snatched a dramatic 1-0 win over South Korea, who had been favoured to progress.
Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute strike settled a cagey encounter as South Africa superior after falling on the first hurdle in three earlier journeys to the World Cup.
“It’s very difficult to explain how it feels — it’s a fantastic experience,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos stated.
“We scored and then it was 20 minutes of heart beating and hoping the game should be finished as soon as possible.”
South Africa will face World Cup co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday within the opening sport of the knockout rounds.
The Canadians certified for the second spherical for the primary time in historical past as runners-up in Group B regardless of a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in Vancouver earlier Wednesday.
Canada claimed second place in Group B on purpose distinction forward of third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3-1 winners over Qatar.
Bosnia have been celebrating later Wednesday when Fifa confirmed they’d certified as among the best of the eight third-placed groups, their four-point haul proving sufficient to ship them via into the knockout levels for the primary time.
Within the day´s different sport, Mexico — who had already secured prime spot in Group A with two opening wins — accomplished their first spherical with a one hundred pc document after romping previous the Czech Republic 3-0 within the Estadio Azteca.
Mexico transfer on to a last-32 match in the identical stadium on June 30 whereas the Czechs return dwelling after ending backside of the group.
Mateo Chavez gave Mexico the lead within the fifty fifth minute and Julian Quinones took benefit of disarray within the Czech defence six minutes later to increase the lead.
Alvaro Fidalgo accomplished a glowing night for the Mexicans as he smashed in a cross 4 minutes into added time.
Mexico even introduced on goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa as a second-half substitute, permitting the veteran to play in a sixth World Cup finals on the age of 40.
