FIFA World Cup: Brazil top Group C as Morocco complete stunning comeback

FIFA World Cup: Brazil top Group C as Morocco complete stunning comeback

Brazil and Morocco booked their places in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after impressive victories in their final Group C matches.

Brazil finished top of the group on goal difference after beating Scotland 3-0 ahead of Morocco who beat Haiti 4-2, with both teams ending on seven points. Scotland finished third with three points and were left waiting to see if they would qualify as one of the best third-placed sides, while Haiti ended bottom without a point after three defeats.

Vinicius Fires Brazil Into Top Spot

Brazil secured first place in Group C with a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami, thanks to a brilliant display from Vinicius Junior.

The five-time world champions made a fast start and took the lead after just seven minutes. Scotland defender Scott McKenna misplaced a pass, allowing Rayan to intercept before setting up Vinicius Junior, who calmly rounded goalkeeper Angus Gunn and finished into an empty net.

Brazil dominated possession and chances throughout the first half. Vinicius thought he had scored a second goal midway through the opening period, but the effort was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. The Real Madrid star eventually doubled Brazil's lead before half-time when he headed home a precise cross from Bruno Guimaraes at the far post.

Scotland struggled to create opportunities and did not register a shot on target until the second half when Scott McTominay headed straight at Alisson Becker.

Brazil continued to control the match after the break, with Gunn producing several important saves to keep the score down. However, he could do little when Matheus Cunha rounded him and scored his third goal of the tournament to make it 3-0.

Scotland pushed forward in search of a goal that might help their qualification hopes, but Alisson denied McTominay with an excellent save. Brazil comfortably saw out the match, while Neymar also made his first international appearance in three years from the bench.

The victory ensured Brazil finished top of Group C and maintained their pursuit of a first World Cup title since 2002.

Hakimi Inspires Morocco Comeback Against Haiti

Morocco fought back from behind twice before securing an entertaining 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta to seal second place in Group C.

Already eliminated from the tournament, Haiti played with freedom and stunned Morocco by taking an early lead. Jean-Kevin Duverne delivered a cross that Lenny Joseph cleverly redirected towards goal, with the ball finding its way past Yassine Bounou.

Morocco responded strongly and eventually equalised through captain Achraf Hakimi after goalkeeper Johny Placide failed to deal with a dangerous cross.

Haiti regained the lead in spectacular fashion when Duverne won possession high up the pitch and Wilson Isidor unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner from distance.

The Atlas Lions refused to panic and levelled again just before half-time. Hakimi delivered an excellent cross and Ismael Saibari finished first time into the bottom corner. The goal meant Saibari scored in all three group-stage matches.

With top spot still a possibility, Morocco pushed hard after the interval. Their pressure finally paid off when substitute Soufiane Rahimi met a flick-on from Chadi Riad and saw his effort deflect into the top corner.

Morocco added a fourth goal in stoppage time when Rahimi squared the ball for Gessime Yassine to score his first senior international goal and complete the comeback.

Although the result was not enough to overtake Brazil at the top of the group, Morocco advanced with seven points and extended their unbeaten run to 32 matches in all competitions. Haiti's World Cup campaign ended without a point despite producing their most competitive performance of the tournament.

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