Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, June 25, 2026

01

Vinicius, Cunha, and finally Neymar — Brazil’s group stage ends exactly as it should

Brazil WC

Scott McKenna miscontrolled a pass in the seventh minute and Vinicius Júnior was there immediately, taking the ball and finishing past Angus Gunn. Hard Rock Stadium had barely settled in and Brazil were in front.

Scotland needed a win and pushed; McTominay went close, McGinn worked hard. But Brazil were simply in a different register.

Bruno Guimarães drove through the midfield in the second half and set up Matheus Cunha for the third: a composed side-foot finish that ended any remaining Scottish hope.

Then came the moment the Brazilian contingent had been waiting for: Neymar walked onto the pitch to the kind of ovation that a 38-day absence produces. He played 25 minutes.

It was not a performance that will define any career. But it was a return, and that was the whole point.

Brazil finish top of Group C with seven points and face the runners-up of Group F in Houston on June 29.

02

Haiti led twice and lost — but scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years

World Cup

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou deflected a Lenny Joseph cross into his own net in the 10th minute to give Haiti the lead, the start of one of the group stage’s most unexpected finales.

Hakimi equalised in the 39th minute; within four minutes Haiti restored their lead through Isidor, whose first-time strike from outside the box flew into the top corner. Saibari equalised in the 45th minute for his third goal of the group stage.

Morocco’s two second-half substitutes proved decisive. Rahimi’s deflected corner flew into the top corner in the 78th minute; Yassine added a fourth in the 89th from Rahimi’s cross.

Haiti exit without a point but with their first World Cup goals since 1974, from a crowd of Haitian diaspora in Atlanta who turned the stadium into a home fixture. Their departure feels like the beginning of something longer.

03

Ecuador and Paraguay both play tonight — their World Cup continues or ends at 9pm ET

World Cup

Ecuador vs Germany: 9pm ET, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Ecuador are on zero points after two games without a goal: the 0-1 loss to Ivory Coast and the 0-0 draw with Curaçao that produced 15 shots on target and no conversion. Beccacece must find a way to score; the chances have never been the problem.

Paraguay vs Australia: 9pm ET, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Paraguay beat Türkiye 1-0 with ten men in Santa Clara; a win tonight gives them a realistic shot at advancing as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Australia are playing for seeding and rhythm rather than survival.

Both games kick off simultaneously at 9pm ET. Full results and analysis in tomorrow’s edition.

04

Uruguay on Sunday, Colombia and Argentina on Friday — the weekend ahead

World Cup

Sunday June 26: Uruguay vs Spain (Guadalajara, 6pm ET)

Uruguay must beat Spain to be certain of advancing from Group H; they have two points without De Arrascaeta and Araújo in either game. Spain beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 and are the group’s form team.

Friday June 27: Colombia vs Portugal (Miami, 9pm ET)

Colombia lead Group K with six points; Portugal have four. Both are through, but group seeding and the Díaz-vs-Portugal tactical battle give it real weight.

Friday June 27: Argentina vs Jordan (Dallas, 9pm ET)

Argentina are already through as Group J winners; Scaloni will manage Messi’s minutes. Cuti Romero’s knee injury could mean a new centre-back partnership for the first time this tournament.

05

More: Morocco news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Did Neymar play against Scotland?

Yes. Neymar came on as a substitute in the second half, replacing Matheus Cunha, and played roughly 25 minutes of Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 24.

It was his first appearance since May 17 (38 days) and his first World Cup appearance of 2026; with Brazil 3-0 ahead, the return was deliberately managed. Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 130 appearances.

Are Scotland eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?

Not officially, but effectively. Scotland finished third in Group C with three points and a goal difference of minus three; they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across all twelve groups.

With 32 group-stage games still to play, many third-placed teams will likely finish with more points and a better goal difference than Scotland. Steve Clarke’s side face a long wait; Scotland last advanced past the group stage of a major tournament in 1974.

Why is the Ecuador vs Germany game so important tonight?

Ecuador are on zero points after two group games, the only South American side yet to score at the 2026 World Cup. They need to beat Germany tonight and hope that Ivory Coast do not beat Curaçao simultaneously in Philadelphia to have any chance of advancing from Group E.

Germany are already through and will rotate; Ecuador have created plenty of chances but their 15 shots on target against Curaçao without scoring (the most in any WC match since 1966) shows the problem has been finishing. Beccacece is expected to change his attacking approach; kick-off at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey at 9pm ET.