Scotland breathed a sigh of relief in the first half of the decisive Group C game of the 2026 World Cup, in Miami, when VAR disallowed what would have been Vinícius Júnior's second goal for Brazil. The European team, who entered the final round needing a point to practically seal their presence in the round of 32 (a short defeat would still keep their hopes alive), was already losing 1-0 in the seventh minute, after the Real Madrid forward took advantage of a mistake by Scott McKenna.
In the 22nd minute, another defensive challenge — this time by Jack Hendry — left Vinícius in front of the goal to make it 2-0. However, after a VAR review, referee César Ramos invalidated the goal due to the Brazilian's foul on the Scottish central defender, understanding that there was contact with the defender's leg before touching the ball. The Canarian international protested vehemently, but ended up scoring again, with a header and from very close range, close to half-time, in a valid goal that left Steve Clarke's team in trouble.
The decision to cancel the bid at 22' generated controversy and divided opinions on the BBC broadcast. Darren Cann, former assistant referee in the Premier League and at international level, considered that Scotland were "lucky" with the decision, maintaining that the Brazilian just "holds the position" and that it is the defender who shoots at him, there being no foul.
In the opposite sense, co-commentator James McFadden, a former Scottish international, was peremptory: for him, there was an infraction. He highlighted that, even though it was a slight contact, it was enough to prevent Hendry from kicking the ball, characterizing the move as a foul and the decision as correct.
In the studio, former Brazilian international Lucas Leiva lined up with Cann — "for me it's not a foul, a big pressure that could make it 2-0" —, while Rachel Corsie highlighted that the contact occurs before Vinícius touches the ball, without control of the ball, classifying the outcome as "incredibly fortunate" for the Scots.
With the new format of the World Cup allowing eight of the 12 third-placed teams to qualify for the round of 32, Scotland had the dream of finally getting beyond the group stage. The VAR verdict, however, kept the game open in the race for qualification.