Neymar finally returned to Brazil’s World Cup stage Wednesday night, stepping back into the yellow shirt after nearly three years away from the national team as Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 and moved into the knockout rounds. The scoreline belonged to Vinícius Júnior, who scored twice, and Matheus Cunha, who added the third. But the emotional center of the night was Neymar, who came on in the 76th minute for his first Brazil appearance since 2023.
It was not a long cameo. It did not need to be. For Brazil, the sight of Neymar back on the field was enough to turn a comfortable group-stage win into something bigger.
The 34-year-old forward had missed Brazil’s first two World Cup matches because of a calf injury, adding another setback to a long road back from the serious knee injury that kept him out of international soccer for 981 days. His return came with Brazil already in control, but the reaction from the crowd made clear that Neymar’s place in the national story remains powerful.
Neymar entered with Brazil leading 3-0, after Vinícius had done most of the damage. Brazil’s first goal came in the seventh minute, when Scotland failed to deal with pressure near its own box and Vinícius rounded goalkeeper Angus Gunn before finishing into an open net.
Brazil thought it had doubled the lead soon after, only for another Vinícius effort to be ruled out after a VAR review. The Real Madrid forward did not have to wait much longer. In first-half stoppage time, Bruno Guimarães picked him out at the far post, and Vinícius headed in his second goal of the match.
Cunha made it 3-0 on the hour, finishing after another sharp Brazil move. By then, Scotland was chasing the game and Brazil was managing it. The result gave Carlo Ancelotti’s team first place in Group C with seven points and sent the five-time champions into the Round of 32 with momentum.
For Neymar, the closing stretch was less about changing the match than changing the mood around Brazil. He arrived at this World Cup under pressure, after injury questions and criticism over whether he could still be counted on at this level. Against Scotland, he got through his minutes, rejoined a younger Brazil side, and gave Ancelotti another attacking option for the knockout rounds.
Brazil no longer depends on Neymar the way it once did. Vinícius is now the main force in the attack, Cunha has scored three times in the tournament, and the team looks more balanced than it did in its opening draw against Morocco.
That may be the best news for Brazil. Neymar does not have to carry the tournament alone. He only has to be healthy enough to matter. Scotland, meanwhile, was left waiting. Steve Clarke’s side finished third in Group C with three points and a minus-three goal difference, leaving its hopes of advancing dependent on results elsewhere.
Brazil moves on as group winner and will face the runner-up from Group F in the Round of 32. The bigger question now is how much Neymar can give from here. His return against Scotland was only a first step. For Brazil, it may still become one of the most important moments of the tournament.
