Neymar returns after 981-day agonising wait as Brazil cruise past Scotland to reach World Cup knockout stage

Neymar finally made his long-awaited appearance in Brazil colours after 981 days, coming off the bench in the 76th minute at their World Cup 2026 game against Scotland in Miami. Brazil registered a comfortable 3-0 win thanks to goals from Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha to win Group C and qualify for knockouts.

Meanwhile, Neymar entered the contest with his side already in control and heading towards a victory. He replaced goal-scorer Cunha to mark a cautious but emotional return after missing the opening two matches due to a calf injury.

It wasn't a surprise: Brazil said earlier this week that he would be available, clearing the way for the forward to make his debut after missing the first two matches.

More from Football News

He did not start, and it seemed like that was the plan Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had all along when he raised the possibility earlier this week that Neymar could play as a substitute.

And when Neymar got off the bench to start doing some warmup sprints and stretches along the sideline during the second half, fans in that area absolutely roared. The cheers got louder when he checked in, as well as when he made his first touch.

Neymar was one of the final players to get off Brazil’s bus Wednesday, flashing a thumbs-up, giving a wave and slapping hands with a few well-wishers as he made his way inside Hard Rock Stadium and toward the locker room.

“He is available. He trained very well this week,” Ancelotti said Tuesday, without confirming that Neymar would take the field against Scotland. “He is fit and able, ready to play. We are very happy that he is back. He is a high-quality player.”

Neymar's long absence from international football

Neymar had been dealing with a right calf injury that sidelined him for more than a month. He went through a training session with Brazil on Sunday.

Neymar is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 129 international appearances entering Wednesday. The 34-year-old appeared in each of the past three World Cups for Brazil, scoring eight goals.

His role — and whether he deserves to be on this team at all — has been a major talking point among Brazil's passionate fans for some time. Neymar has struggled since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier, and has four goals in eight matches for Brazilian club Santos this season.

(With agency inputs)