The night of June 24–25 put a full stop on three groups at the 2026 World Cup. Brazil crushed Scotland 3:0, Mexico demolished the Czech Republic 3:0, and South Africa pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets by beating South Korea 1:0. Switzerland defeated Canada 3:1 to top Group B, while Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3:1 and became the first third-place team to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
Night Results
Scotland — Brazil 0:3
The loudest match of the night took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Brazil took to the field without Neymar, but Vinicius Jr. took charge from the opening minutes. As early as the 7th minute he capitalised on a mistake by defender McKenna to open the scoring, then headed in to make it 2:0 in first-half stoppage time. On the 60th minute Matheus Cunha finished off an attack started by Bruno Guimarães — 3:0. Near the end of the match Neymar came on — for the first time in this tournament after a calf muscle injury. Scotland tried to respond, but Alisson made several crucial saves. Scotland's coach Steve Clarke admitted after the game: "We gifted them the goals and the game they wanted." Brazil advanced to the round of 32 as Group C winners, while Scotland will wait to see the results of the best third-place teams.
Mexico — Czech Republic 3:0
On home soil at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico finished the group stage unbeaten. The first half ended goalless, but in the second Mateo Chávez drove through the entire pitch and calmly slotted the ball into the net — 1:0. Julián Quiñones doubled the lead after a cross from Mora, and Álvaro Fidalgo hammered the ball into the top corner in stoppage time — 3:0. The Czech Republic managed 13 shots but only one on target. Mexico preserved their unblemished record at the Azteca — no defeats across all three World Cups held at that stadium.
South Africa — South Korea 1:0
The biggest upset of the night came in Monterrey. South Korea needed only a draw to automatically advance to the knockout stage, but Tapelo Maseko scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute and rewrote the standings. South Africa reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history. South Korea, despite 61% possession, finished third in Group A and now await the tally of all third-place results.
Switzerland — Canada 3:1
In the final match of Group B, Switzerland beat Canada 3:1 to top the group. Johan Manzambi scored twice, and Rubén Vargas also found the net. Canada, despite the defeat, finished second and reached the knockout stage for the first time in their men's football history. Due to finishing second, the Canadians will play their round-of-32 match not at home in Vancouver but in Los Angeles.
Bosnia and Herzegovina — Qatar 3:1
Bosnia and Herzegovina comfortably beat Qatar 3:1 and became the first third-place team to mathematically secure a spot in the knockout stage. Qatar finished the tournament without a single win.
Morocco — Haiti 4:2
Morocco finished the group stage with a 4:2 victory over Haiti and ended up second in Group C. Haiti are eliminated from the tournament.
Standings
Group A: Mexico (9 points, 1st place) and South Africa (3 points, 2nd place) advance automatically. Czech Republic are eliminated. South Korea (3 points, 3rd place) await the tally of the best third-place teams.
Group B: Switzerland (7 points, 1st place) and Canada (4 points, 2nd place) advance automatically. Bosnia and Herzegovina (4 points, 3rd place) — the first confirmed third-place team in the knockout stage. Qatar are eliminated.
Group C: Brazil (7 points, 1st place) and Morocco (4 points, 2nd place) advance automatically. Scotland (3 points, 3rd place) await the tally of the best third-place teams. Haiti are eliminated.
Off the Pitch
Neymar's return. Brazil forward Neymar came on as a substitute in the 76th minute against Scotland — his first appearance at this tournament after a calf muscle injury. His arrival was met with a standing ovation from the predominantly Brazilian crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.
Vinicius's record. By scoring in all three group-stage matches, Vinicius Jr. became only the fifth Brazilian player to achieve this feat. Before him, it was done by Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), Ronaldo and Rivaldo (both 2002). Notably, in all four previous cases Brazil went on to win the World Cup.
Tomáš Souček injury. Czech Republic captain Tomáš Souček was injured during the match against Mexico and was forced to leave the pitch. Details of the injury were not disclosed, though for the Czech Republic the tournament is already over.
South Africa's sensation and first-time knockout qualifiers. Three teams — South Africa, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina — reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history, a vivid testament to the new expanded 48-team tournament format.
Today, June 25, Groups D, E and F are in action at the World Cup: key matches include Japan — Sweden (02:00 Kyiv time), Tunisia — Netherlands (02:00 Kyiv time), Curaçao — Côte d'Ivoire (23:00 Kyiv time), Ecuador — Germany (23:00 Kyiv time), Turkey — USA (05:00 Kyiv time) and Paraguay — Australia (05:00 Kyiv time).
Photo: NBC News · Editorial (source)
