Vinícius brace and a Neymar return: Brazil sweep aside Scotland to top Group C

Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 in Miami to win Group C, Vinícius Júnior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third, on an emotional night when Neymar returned from injury for his tournament debut off the bench. Carlo Ancelotti's side edged Morocco to top spot.

Brazil saved a statement for last. A 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami sealed top spot in Group C for Carlo Ancelotti's Seleção, Vinícius Júnior scoring twice and Matheus Cunha adding a third, and there was an emotional bonus to round off the night.

Neymar was back. On seventy-six minutes the Brazilian icon came off the bench for his first appearance of the tournament, finally over a calf injury, to a roar that said everything about what he means to this team. His World Cup had begun at last.

Brazil had the points wrapped up long before. Vinícius pounced on a loose Scottish backpass inside seven minutes to open the scoring, the kind of alert, ruthless finish that has become his trademark. Scotland's early defensive complacency was punished at once.

He thought he had a second soon after, only for a VAR review to chalk it off for a foul in the build-up. Undeterred, Vinícius doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time with a header, taking his tournament tally to four and putting the game beyond Scotland by the break.

Cunha made it three on the hour, finishing off a slick Bruno Guimarães assist to settle the scoreline. Brazil were imperious, twenty-one shots and most of the ball, and rarely troubled at the back.

For Scotland it is the end of the road, unable to live with the Brazilian press and out of the tournament. Brazil top Group C on seven points, edging Morocco on goal difference after their draw with the Atlas Lions earlier in the group. Both teams go through.

It continues a strong group for the five-time champions, who opened with a win over Haiti and have looked a side rediscovering their swagger under Ancelotti. The knockouts await.

For Kenya, Brazil are everyone's second team, and a night of goals, samba and the return of Neymar was made for the neutral. Vinícius is box office, the most exciting forward in the world on his day, and the estates were buzzing. Brazil ni timu ya kila Mkenya, hata kama huwezi kukiri: Brazil is every Kenyan's team, even if you will not admit it. Our South America round-one verdict said the Seleção carried the tournament's highest ceiling, and in Miami they showed exactly why.