Vinícius brace sees Brazil through as group winners

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP):

Vinícius Júnior scored two goals, Matheus Cunha also scored, and five-time World Cup champions Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 yesterday, advancing to the knockout stage as Group C winners.

Vinícius — who has a goal in all three of Brazil's group matches — scored in the seventh minute and again just before half-time, tying Norway's Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé of France with four goals, one behind Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Brazil reached the knockout rounds for the 15th consecutive World Cup. Morocco finished second in the group and also advanced, rallying to beat Haiti 4-2.

Neymar entered as a substitute in the 76th, making his debut after a right calf injury sidelined him for Brazil's first two matches. The majority-Brazilian crowd at Hard Rock Stadium began chanting his name midway through the second half as he got off the bench and began doing warm-up sprints on the sideline — and fans roared as he trotted onto the pitch.

Neymar is Brazil's career scoring leader with 79 goals in 130 international appearances. The 34-year-old forward appeared in each of the past three World Cups for Brazil, scoring eight goals.

Scotland are playing in their first World Cup since 1998 and have become one of the more interesting teams at the tournament. Their dedicated fans, known as the Tartan Army, brought a party atmosphere to the Boston and Miami areas ahead of their team's matches.

Scotland haven't advanced past the group stage in nine tries.

Group C

Teams P W D L Pts GF GA GD

Brazil 3 2 1 0 7 7 1 6

Morocco 3 2 1 0 7 6 3 3

Scotland 3 1 0 2 3 1 4 -3

Haiti 3 0 0 3 0 2 8 -6