The third round of the 2026 World Cup group stage delivered several compelling storylines in matches that concluded during the first half of the day in Kyiv. Brazil comfortably dispatched Scotland, Mexico preserved their perfect record, and South Africa made history — all of it now part of the 2026 World Cup match schedule (Kyiv time) as it moves relentlessly toward the knockout rounds.
Brazil — Scotland 3:0: Vinicius scores a brace, Neymar comes off the bench
The five-time world champions beat Scotland 3:0 with little fuss. Vinicius Junior struck twice — as early as the 7th minute and just before half-time — while Matheus Cunha sealed the result in the second half. The match's biggest talking point was Neymar's appearance: the star forward came on as a substitute and played at this tournament for the first time following his recovery from a calf muscle injury.
Scotland retain a theoretical chance of advancing to the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams — but they now depend on results in other groups. More on Scotland's tournament opener in the article "Brazil held by Morocco, Scotland open with a win".
Morocco — Haiti 4:2: Africans come from behind twice to reach the knockout stage
In the parallel Group C match, Morocco beat Haiti 4:2 in an entertaining game. Haiti went ahead twice, but the Africans levelled each time before turning the match around in the second half. Achraf Hakimi equalised in the 39th minute. Morocco finished second in Group C — level on 7 points with Brazil but behind on goal difference. In the round of 32, Morocco will face the winner of Group F.
Mexico — Czech Republic 3:0: hosts finish the group stage unbeaten
Mexico thrashed the Czech Republic 3:0 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and completed the group stage with a perfect record — three wins from three matches. Mateo Chávez opened the scoring in the 55th minute, and Julián Quiñones doubled the lead six minutes later. Notably, Mexico did not concede a single goal across all three games — 315 minutes without letting in a goal. The Czech Republic exit the tournament in last place in Group A. Mexico will play in the round of 32 on June 30 at the same stadium. More on the previous matchdays in the article "Mexico vs. Korea and three more matches".
South Africa — South Korea 1:0: Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stage for the first time in history
The morning's biggest sensation — South Africa beat South Korea 1:0 and, for the first time in their football history, advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the 63rd minute after a cross from Tshepang Moremi. The Koreans pressed until the final whistle, but time ran out. Bafana Bafana returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 — when they hosted the tournament — and immediately made history. In the round of 32 on June 29, South Africa will face Canada in Los Angeles.
Injuries and squad news: Schlotterbeck's tournament is over
Also worth noting is a squad update from the Germany camp: defender Nico Schlotterbeck has officially been ruled out of the remainder of the 2026 World Cup. He suffered a medial ligament injury to his left ankle in the match against Ivory Coast on June 20; scans confirmed that recovery will take several months. Schlotterbeck had started both of Germany's first two matches. More on that matchday in the article "Germany vs. Ivory Coast and three more matches".
This evening in Kyiv — the final matches of Groups E (Ecuador — Germany, Curaçao — Ivory Coast) and F (Japan — Sweden, Tunisia — Netherlands), as well as Group D (Paraguay — Australia, Turkey — USA); a detailed preview will follow.
