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Brazil crush Scotland to finish top of Group C, Morocco survive Haiti scare to enter knockouts

Brazil topped Group C with a 3-0 victory over Scotland, while Morocco secured a 4-2 win against Haiti.

Updated on: Jun 25, 2026, 05:58:31 IST
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Brazil finished top of Group C after a clinical 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami, while Morocco beat Haiti 4-2 in Atlanta to join the five-time champions in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Vinicius scored twice for Brazil (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Vinicius scored twice for Brazil (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The final matchday began with Brazil and Morocco level on four points, with Brazil ahead on goal difference. Scotland, sitting on three points, needed a result against Brazil to push for automatic qualification or strengthen their third-place case. Haiti, already eliminated after defeats to Scotland and Brazil, had only pride to play for against Morocco.

Brazil removed any uncertainty early. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring in the seventh minute, giving Carlo Ancelotti’s side the control they wanted and putting immediate pressure on Scotland. The Real Madrid forward then struck again in first-half stoppage time, heading in from close range after Scotland failed to deal with a cross into the box.

The result took Brazil to seven points from three matches, with seven goals scored and only one conceded. More importantly, it protected their advantage over Morocco and ensured they finished as Group C winners.

Morocco survive Haiti scare as Group C picture is settled

While Brazil were cruising in Miami, Morocco had to work far harder in Atlanta. Haiti stunned the Atlas Lions by going ahead in the 10th minute, through a goal initially credited to Lenny Joseph before later being recorded as a Yassine Bounou own goal. Morocco responded through Achraf Hakimi in the 39th minute, only for Haiti to hit back almost immediately through Wilson Isidor’s superb long-range strike.

That left Morocco under real pressure, but Ismael Saibari equalised in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-2. The goal was significant not only for the match but also for Saibari’s tournament, with the midfielder continuing his strong scoring run in the group stage.

Morocco showed greater control after half-time. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi put them ahead for the first time in the 78th minute, before Gessime Yassine sealed the 4-2 win in the 89th minute after a VAR check confirmed that the ball had stayed in play before Rahimi’s assist.

Also Read: Brazil vs Scotland Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Vinicius Jr's brilliance takes Selecao through as Group C winners

The victory took Morocco to seven points, the same as Brazil, but they finished second because of goal difference. Brazil ended with a goal difference of +6, while Morocco finished on +3.

Scotland finished third on three points after one win and two defeats. Their goal difference dropped to -3 after the Brazil loss, leaving them outside the automatic top-two places and dependent on the ranking of third-placed teams across the other groups. In the expanded 48-team format, the top two from each group qualify along with the eight best third-placed sides.

Haiti finished bottom of Group C without a point, but their final match at least gave them their first goals of the tournament and a spirited farewell.

Brazil will now enter the Round of 32 as Group C winners, while Morocco progress as runners-up. Scotland, meanwhile, must wait for the third-place table to know whether their campaign continues.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Probuddha Bhattacharjee is a sports writer and analyst with expertise spanning cricket, football, and multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on data-driven journalism and tactical storytelling. He currently focuses on international cricket, the Indian Premier League, global tournaments, and emerging trends shaping modern sport, blending advanced statistics with strong narrative context to explain performance, strategy, and decision-making. His work aims to bridge the gap between numbers and storytelling, helping readers understand not just what happened on the field, but the tactical and structural reasons behind it. Trained in data journalism through the Google News Initiative (GNI) Data Journalism Lab, Probuddha works extensively with ball-by-ball datasets, performance metrics, and trend-based modelling to produce evidence-backed reports, explainers, and long-form features. His analytical approach focuses not only on outcomes but also on process—selection strategies, phase-wise tactics, workload management, and the influence of preparation and planning on match results. He is particularly interested in how statistical patterns reshape conventional cricketing narratives and provide clearer tactical insight for modern audiences. Beyond cricket, Probuddha has written analytical and news-driven pieces on football and other major sporting events, with a growing interest in sports governance, scheduling dynamics, and the economics of elite competitions. He also tracks how rule changes, franchise structures, and broadcast pressures influence the evolution of contemporary sport. He has previously contributed to platforms such as OneCricket, Sportskeeda, and CrickTracker, and continues to specialise in analytical storytelling, live coverage, and audience-focused reporting. His work prioritises clarity, context, and credibility, while consistently exploring innovative ways to present data through accessible narratives and structured match analysis.

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
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