Scotland enjoyed a huge reprieve during the first half of their decisive World Cup 2026 group match against Brazil when Vinicius Junior had what would have been his second goal of the match ruled out following a VAR review.
Scotland – who headed into the Group C finale needing a point to all-but seal passage to the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history, while a narrow defeat would at least keep their hopes alive – already trailed 1-0 in Miami when Vini Jr capitalised on a Scott McKenna howler to net after just seven minutes.
On 22 minutes, the Real Madrid superstar appeared to make it 2-0 as another defensive clanger, this time from Jack Hendry, allowed him to nick the ball off the retreating Scot before firing home a neat finish.
Scotland’s knockout hopes appeared to be hanging by the thinnest of threads but a VAR review gifted them a scarcely-deserved reprieve as Vini Jr was deemed to have fouled Hendry in the act of tackling him, kicking his leg before getting the ball.
The Brazilian forward was furious to see his goal ruled out, although that appeared to fuel him as he went on to head in a perfectly valid second goal from close range just before half-time to leave Steve Clarke’s side in all sorts of trouble.
The decision to rule the 22nd-minute goal out was a contentious one, with BBC pundits disagreeing whether referee Cesar Ramos made the right call.
The BBC’s rules expert Darren Cann, a former Premier League and international assistant referee, believes Ramos made a mistake.
On the broadcast, Cann said: “I think Scotland are a little fortunate to be honest. There is a small contact before the ball is played but I don’t really feel it is a foul by Vini Jr.
“He’s just holding his ground and the defender just kicks into him. I think it’s one that Scotland will be delighted with but I think a little fortunate to get the decision.”
However, co-commentator James McFadden, a former Scotland international, held an opposing view to Cann.
When asked whether he agreed with the rules expert, McFadden didn’t pull his punches, saying: “No I don’t, I think it’s a foul. Whether it’s a slight contact or not, it’s a foul.
“When you see it back, clearly he gets caught when he’s in the action of kicking the ball, which is enough to stop him being able to kick the ball. He’s impeded. It’s a foul for me – he catches him and it’s a correct decision.”
McFaddden later added: “I think it’s a bit of a let-off but if it’s a foul, it’s a foul.”
But one of BBC’s pundits in the studio, ex-Brazil international Lucas Leiva, backed up Cann’s view that the five-time world champions were hard done by, saying: “For me it’s not a foul, great press, it could be 2-0. Of course, let’s see what the referee experts say, but for me, it’s not a foul.”
Rachel Corsie: “I think the argument is the contact is made before Vini touches the ball, he’s not in control of the ball, he contacts the Scotland player first, it’s incredibly fortunate.”
Scotland were hoping that a change of World Cup format, which sees eight of the 12 third-place finishers in the tournament go through to the last 32, would enable them to make history and get out of the group for the first time.
