Soccer
Carlo Ancelotti has warned Brazil not to expect an easy ride against the “fighters” of Scotland, as both teams look to seal qualification for the World Cup knockout rounds.
After drawing 1-1 with Morocco and beating Haiti 3-0, the five-time world champions are virtually assured to advance from Group C regardless of Wednesday’s result, though they may need a victory to finish top.
The Opta supercomputer assigns them a 62% chance of winning Group C and a 26% probability of finishing second (12% third).
Morocco, who also have four points, have a 35% chance of topping the pile and avoiding a tricky last-32 tie against the Group F winners – potentially the Netherlands.
Brazil have only ever lost five of their 60 first-round group games at World Cups (W42 D13), but each of their last three such defeats came on matchday three, against Portugal in 1966, Norway in 1998 and Cameroon in 2022.
And Ancelotti expects things to be difficult against a Scotland team that are hoping to get past the first stage of a World Cup for the very first time.
“It will be a difficult game. Scotland have quality, they are fighters, they are well-organised,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“They have good players, [Scott] McTominay, [John] McGinn, they are experienced players.
“Easy games at the World Cup were over a long time ago. We are ready to play a difficult game.”
“Here we are with everything to play for.”#SCOBRA | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DoYpnlLYHs
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 24, 2026
Brazil have had 20 shots across their two games so far (12 versus Morocco, eight against Haiti), with their average of 10 per game currently their lowest on record at a single edition of the World Cup (since 1966).
They will hope the return of their all-time leading goalscorer Neymar injects some new impetus into their attack, after a calf issue forced him to sit out their first two games.
Neymar has not featured for Brazil since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on international duty in late 2023, but Ancelotti believes he is ready to start the match.
“He is available, he trained very well this week, he is fit and able and ready to play. We are very happy that he is back, he is a high-quality player,” Ancelotti said.
“He can play half the game or the whole 90 minutes. He is doing very well, he worked very hard, so he is ready.
“His attitude is very good, he is in very good spirits, he’s a good player and team-mate, he’s very serious and we want to put him back in to play as soon as possible. He brings experience and knowledge; he is doing very well.”
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