Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Five-time world champions Brazil defeated Scotland in their last match in Group C and advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Morocco, who drew their first match with them, defeated Haiti to become runners-up.
Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency.
Brazil's victory over Scotland was 3-0 thanks to Vinny's double. As group champions with 7 points, they will face the runner-up of Group F in the last 32. Among those in Group F, the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden are likely to be runners-up. On the other hand, Morocco, the runner-up of Group C, will also face one of these three teams (who will be champions).
With a 4-2 win over Haiti, they also have 7 points, but they are behind Brazil on goal difference. Vinny scored in the seventh minute of the match. The Brazilian took advantage of a mistake in Scotland's defense to score. The pass from center-back Scott McKenna was blocked by young winger Ryan. The ball went to Vinicius Junior on that mistake. The Brazilian forward made no mistake.
Scotland suffered a big blow by conceding such a goal at the beginning of the match. Then he scored another goal in the 22nd minute. However, the video assistant referee disallowed the goal. That goal also came from a mistake by the Scottish defense. Vinicius slightly hit his right foot before taking the ball away from the opponent's defender Hendry.
Despite scoring, the on-field referee, taking into account the appeal of the Scottish players, reviewed the VAR and disallowed the goal and decided it was a foul. Later, Vinicius scored again in the first half of added time. The weakness of Scotland's defense came to the fore again. They failed to clear the ball several times, and Brazil took advantage of that opportunity. Vinicius was completely empty at the back post on Bruno Gutierrez's cross from the right. He sent the ball into the net with an easy header. Brazil was leading 2-0 at the end of the first half. When the game returned to the field in the second half, Brazil scored another goal. This time the goal came from Matheus Cunha in the 61st minute. Cunha scored to make it 3-0. In the 76th minute, Neymar replaced Cunha and entered the field in a Brazilian jersey, breaking a long 32-month break. There was great excitement among the fans in the gallery when he entered the field. On the other hand, Scotland had a chance to reduce the gap at the last minute. But they could not get over the Baker Wall. Brazil left the field with a 3-0 victory.