Vinícius Júnior continued his extraordinary 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by writing his name in Brazilian football history during the Seleção’s 3-0 win in Scotland. The Real Madrid striker scored twice in Miami to become the first Brazilian player in 24 years to score in all three World Cup group stage games, matching the feat last achieved by Ronaldo Nazário and Rivaldo during Brazil’s triumphant 2002 campaign.The brace also took Vinícius to four goals in this tournament, putting him firmly among the main contenders for the Golden Boot as Brazil advanced to the Round of 32 as Group C winners.
Vinícius joins an exclusive list of Brazilian legends
Brazil has produced some of the greatest World Cup strikers the game has ever seen, but only five players have managed to score in each of the nation’s three group stage matches in a single tournament.Vinícius has now joined Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), Ronaldo (2002) and Rivaldo (2002) on that exclusive list, becoming the first Brazilian in nearly a quarter of a century to achieve the milestone.His remarkable consistency came throughout Brazil’s group campaign. He opened his tournament account by saving a 1-1 draw against Morocco before scoring and providing an assist during Brazil’s comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti. Against Scotland, he produced his best ever display, scoring twice to complete the record streak.
Scotland punished by the clinical finish of Vinícius
Brazil needed just seven minutes to establish control in Miami. Pressing Scotland high up the pitch, Vinícius capitalized on a Scott McKenna misstep, collected the loose ball in the penalty area and calmly guided a low finish past Angus Gunn to give Brazil an early lead.
Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
He thought he had doubled the lead midway through the first half after another fluid move, only for VAR to rule out the goal due to a foul by Marquinhos during the build-up.The second goal finally came in stoppage time of the first half. After Bruno Guimarães recycled possession from a partially cleared corner, he sent an inviting cross towards the far post. Vinícius timed his move perfectly, rose above his marker and fed a downward header past Gunn to put Brazil firmly in command before the break.
Brazil’s Vinicius Junior (7) scores his team’s second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Matheus Cunha added Brazil’s third goal in the 60th minute to complete the win, while Neymar made his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute, appearing in a World Cup match for the first time since Brazil’s quarter-final defeat of Croatia in Qatar four years ago.
Brazil finished the group stage undefeated
The win secured top spot in Group C as Brazil ended their group stage campaign unbeaten with seven points, following a 1-1 draw against Morocco and subsequent 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland.Vinícius was the center of that race. In three games he scored four goals and registered one assist, taking his overall tally for Brazil to 13 international goals in 52 appearances.His performances also reshaped the Golden Boot race. Lionel Messi currently leads the tournament with five goals after his brace against Austria, while Vinícius has moved to four alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, ensuring the race for the tournament’s top scorer remains one of the defining stories in the knockout rounds.Brazil now enter the Round of 32 carrying significant momentum, with Vinícius emerging as the focal point of Carlo Ancelotti’s attack and continuing to line up alongside some of the greatest goalscorers in the Seleção’s World Cup history.
