World Cup 2026 delivered more thrills and spills on Day 3 as eight teams shared seven goals and there wasn’t a goaless draw in sight. Switzerland and Qatar kicked things off and the Swiss may just be still kicking themselves after throwing away the win by conceding late on.
Brazil were up next in their first appearance of the tournament so far. The Selecao failed to impress but still showed the star quality they possess by scoring one of the best goals we’ve seen so far from Vinicius Jr to rescue
a draw.
There was also plenty of history made in the final two games. Veteran midfielder John McGinn wrote his name into the history books with the only goal in a nervy win for Scotland over Haiti, while a youthful looking Australia stunned Turkiye to claim an impressive victory.
Time to check out all the goals from Day 3.
Vinicius stunner rescues Brazil
There’s no doubt the game of the day was in New York where five-time champions Brazil faced AFCON winners Morocco. There was early drama too, as Morocco dominated the early exchanges and took the lead when Brahim Diaz played a perfectly-weighted ball through for Ismael Saibari to run on to and lift the ball over Alisson and into the back of the net. The goal was just reward for a great start to the game by Morocco.
Brazil had been second best but levelled in spectacular style just after the half hour mark. Bruno Guimaraes found Vinicius Jr inside the penalty area on the left, and the Real Madrid star cut back inside and fired an unstoppable shot home to make it 1-1.
Yet that was about as good as it got for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as Brazil failed to shine and had to settle for a point in their opener.
Swiss stunned by late, late Qatar show
Day 3 of World Cup 2026 had kicked off with Switzerland against Qatar and the first penalty to be awarded at the tournament so far this summer. The Swiss were the beneficiaries after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada clattered into Remo Freuler.
Referee Said Martinez pointed straight to the spot and the decision was confirmed by VAR despite strong suspicions of offside. Breel Embolo then made no mistake, casually strolling up to the ball and sending Abunada the wrong way with a coolly-taken spot-kick.
Switzerland went on to dominate the game, racking up 26 shots, but couldn’t put away Qatar and were made to pay deep into stoppage time. With 95 minutes on the clock, Homan Ahmed whipped in an inviting cross from the left for captain Boualem Khoukhi, up from the back, to power home at the far post.
The goal sparked jubilant scenes and a pile on as Qatar picked up their first ever World Cup point, while Switzerland were left to rue all those missed chances.
McGinn earns Scotland nervy win
Scotland had Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn to thank as they picked up a first World Cup win since 1990 by beating Haiti 1-0 in Boston.
The Tartan Army had waited a long time to see their team back in World Cup action and had plenty to celebrate in the 28th minute when McGinn broke the deadlock with a deflected strike.
It wasn’t the prettiest goal McGinn will score but he won’t care especially as it’s Scotland’s first World Cup goal in 10, 224 days and, for now at least, sends the Tartan Army top of Group C, ahead of Brazil and Morocco. At the age of 31 years, 238 days, the midfielder also becomes the oldest player to score for Scotland at a World Cup.
Australia pull off shock ahead of USMNT test
The final action of Day 3 saw Australia cause a real upset by beating Turkiye 2-0. Nestory Irankund became Australia’s youngest World Cup goalscorer when he broke the deadlock with a fine strike. The 20-year-old showed off his pace by racing down the left, before beating his defender with a great touch and then powering past the goalkeeper.
Australia had goalkeeper Patrick Beach to thank for preserving their lead with a string of fine saves. The Socceroos completed the win in the second half when Connor Metcalfe pounced on a loose ball, strode forward and rifled home a low shot from just outside the penalty area to secure victory.
A great win for Australia. Up next, it’s a trip to Seattle to face the USMNT.
Have your say in our poll to decide what the goal of the day was, as we cover every goal, goof and everything in between throughout the World Cup!
