Brazil were clinical against Scotland and created for a bigger rout
Brazil's 3-0 win over Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium came down to the difference in what they produced: 4.4 expected goals to 0.9. Possession was even, but the visitors were far sharper and ended up seeing out the match with authority.
Brazil took a 3-0 win over Scotland in the World Cup — Group stage with one stat that sums up the whole story: they created chances worth 4.4 goals, compared to 0.9 for their opponents. Although possession was fairly even, with 53% for Brazil and 47% for Scotland, the difference was in the depth of their attacks and their ability to turn what they created into goals.
Tactical read
The share of the ball did not point to a crushing superiority, but it did show two different game plans. Scotland had slightly less possession, took 13 shots and put 4 on target; Brazil, with 20 shots and 9 on target, were clearly more incisive. In production terms, the scoreline actually flatters Scotland compared with what the Brazil side put together: 4.4 goals worth of chances for three goals reflects a very solid performance in the opponent's half.
The formation also helps explain the match: Scotland lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and Brazil in a 4-3-3. Brazil's shape allowed them to maintain an attacking presence and go forward with greater volume, something reflected in the difference in total shots and shots on target. Scotland, for their part, were not completely wiped out of the contest, but their attacking output was well below the quality and quantity generated by Brazil.
In terms of cards, the match never got out of hand: 1 yellow for Scotland and 2 for Brazil. There was no disciplinary issue that altered the flow; the gap was in efficiency and in the ability to produce better chances.
The standouts
- Vinícius Júnior was the game's outstanding performer with 9.0, and he backed it up with two goals: in the 7' and at 45+3'. His influence on the scoreline explains much of Brazil's dominance.
- Angus Gunn stood out for Scotland with 8.2, a high mark despite the defeat and the 3-0 scoreline.
- Lewis Ferguson rounded out Scotland's top-rated players with 7.9.
Turning point
The opening minutes were decisive: Vinícius Júnior's 7' strike put Brazil ahead very early and shaped the rest of the contest. Before the break, the same Vinícius Júnior made it 45+3', a key blow because it stretched the lead at a sensitive stage of the match. Then, in the second half, Matheus Cunha sealed the 3-0 at 60', closing out a night in which Brazil had already shown more volume, more precision and more of a claim to the result.
The final message from the numbers is clear: Brazil won with authority and their attacking output was well superior to Scotland's. The even possession was not enough to balance a match in which the visitors created far more, took more shots and found their decisive figure in Vinícius Júnior.
