Vinicius Jr Double Fires Brazil Past Scotland to Seal Top Spot in Group C

Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 in Miami on Thursday morning to top Group C, leaving Steve Clarke's side sweating on whether they have done enough to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the tournament. 

Scotland, who only managed one win in the group stage, defeating Haiti on matchday one, now face a potentially agonising wait until Sunday to find out if they are through to the round of 32.

Vinicius Jr was the difference, scoring twice in the first half to put the game beyond Scotland before Matheus Cunha added a third after the break. Brazil could easily have scored more, with the Real Madrid forward also having a goal ruled out by VAR.

The tone was set early when Scotland defender Scott McKenna, making his first start of the tournament, hesitated on the ball and was robbed by teenage Bournemouth forward Rayan, who immediately teed up Vinicius Jr to open the scoring. The second goal came in first-half stoppage time when Scotland failed to clear a cross and Vinicius Jr nodded in at the back post.

VAR did bail Scotland out at one point when Vinicius Jr appeared to have scored a second after picking the pocket of Jack Hendry, but the officials ruled Hendry had been fouled in the build-up.

Scotland showed some promise in possession in both halves and created a couple of half chances, including a Scott McTominay header straight at Alisson. But Brazil were largely in control and never looked troubled.

The third goal came when Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes dispossessed Kenny McLean and set up Cunha to finish smartly.

Captain Andy Robertson did not return for the second half, adding to Scotland's injury concerns heading into the wait for other results.

Scotland finish third in Group C on three points with a goal difference of minus three. Before the game, statisticians put the chances of that record being enough to sneak through as a best third-placed team at around 42 percent. They will know their fate by Sunday at the latest.