2026 FIFA World Cup Group C Recaps: Brazil, Morocco Restore Order

Morocco scored in the second minute and stymied Scotland the rest of the way while Brazil used three first half goals to sink Haiti's knockout hopes.

MOROCCO 1, SCOTLAND 0

TBM was on hand for this one, so Sam Latoff has the full recap.

Really just more of the same from Scotland, the offense is just non-existant. No shots on target out of six, their best chance a John McGinn mishit volley right before halftime and a Lyndon Dykes high header minutes from full time. Yes Scotland wanted a late penalty shout but it was emphatically waved off by center referee Ilgiz Tantashev.

It's a fantastic strike from Saibari in the opening seconds though I do wonder if keeper Angus Gunn could have done better with it as the ball flew past his right shoulder. He only had to make one save on the night which was a fine parry right after halftime on a El Khannouss header at his near post.

Likewise, I don't think Morocco has hit anywhere near the gear they were at four years ago, it feels like they're coasting a little bit. I get being a little more conservative against Brazil late but goals for and goal difference is what is going to decide this group and I don't think the Atlas Lions played with the urgency of a team trying to win the group. They seem content to just advance right now, I'm not sure that is way.

BRAZIL 3, HAITI 0

Full credit to Les Grenadiers, I think this one could have gotten more out of hand but Haiti did well to limit the damage as best they could.

Brazil scrambled the first one home off a Johny Placide save in the 23rd minute. Vinicius Junior forced a smart save that was pushed back into the middle of the area and Matheus Cunha got enough on it to see it trickle over the line.

With the dam broken, Cunha broke free again in the 36th minute, timing his run perfectly after a few Brazil chances were chalked off for offside, and made no mistake going top corner against a falling away Placide.

The first half damage was complete with Vini Jr in stoppage time as he ran onto a chipped ball from the near the halfway line from Lucas Paqueta and slotted home past a sliding Placide.

The only blemish on Brazil's opening forty-five minutes was needing to sub off Raphinha after 40 minutes due to a possible hamstring strain. Haiti's one great chance was a flick on header off a corner in the 63rd only to have Ricardo Ade's attempt be right at Alisson who clawed it away.

GROUP OVERVIEW

Brazil and Morocco now go top of the group with four points, the Canaries holding a slight lead on goal difference. Scotland can clinch advancement with a win over Brazil in their final matchup but likely will be stuck waiting for the third place standings. A big win for Morocco over Haiti could see them top the group so there is still a lot to settle a week from now.