🎥 Vini the decider, Neymar debuts in the Copa and 🇧🇷 soar on

🎥 Vini the decider, Neymar debuts in the Copa and 🇧🇷 soar on

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is increasingly in Vinicius Júnior’s hands.

Thanks to his two goals — which could have been three — the Brazil national team heads into the first knockout round of the FIFA World Cup as leaders of Group C.

Playing at Hard Rock Stadium, Brazil beat Scotland 3-0 this Wednesday (24). They reached seven points, leaving Morocco in second place. 

The “surfer” Matheus Cunha got on the scoresheet too. Bruno Guimarães stood out massively, and Neymar made his World Cup debut. 

Brazil will face the runner-up of Group F in the first knockout round of the World Cup.

That could be Japan, Sweden or the Netherlands. The match is next Monday (29), starting at 2pm (Brasília time).

The final decision will come this Thursday (25), starting at 8pm (Brasília time).

🔥 ABSURD numbers, okay?

Vini scored Brazil’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Morocco.

He was involved in the first against Haiti, assisted the second, and also got his own goal.

And he was more than decisive by finding the net twice this Wednesday. 

A total of FOUR GOALS, one assist and another direct involvement.

The No. 7 joined a more than select list for Brazil at World Cups.

Only Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), and the duo Rivaldo and Ronaldo (both in 2002) had scored at least one goal in all three group-stage matches of a World Cup. 

🔥 His show — and refereeing takes center stage

Brazil’s first goal came in the eighth minute. 

McKenna made a mistake while playing out from the back under pressure from the alert Rayan, who intercepted it.

And it was up to Vini Jr. to make the most of it in the seventh minute.

The second could have come in the 22nd minute.

But referee César Ramos was called to the monitor to review a possible foul by the Brazilian.

And he ended up agreeing with the VAR review.

The replays of the play, however, made the decision even more controversial.

The footage showed Vini putting his left foot in front of Hendry, who then caught the No. 7 with his right foot. 

Vini would get his second before the end of the first half.

The goal came after a cross from Bruno Guimarães and without VAR “getting involved.”

Only Messi (five goals) has celebrated more than him so far.

Ride the wave, Matheus Cunha! 🏄🏽‍♂️

After deciding the match against Haiti, the No. 9 celebrated again.

Another great move by Bruno Guimarães ended with his goal (60').

His third in this World Cup. 

Neymar is BACK 🔟

Ancelotti rested the booked Casemiro, went with Martinelli, and Scotland started to “believe” more. They even made Alisson work.

The third substitution brought Neymar on in the 76th minute.

Ending his drought with the national team that had lasted since October 17, 2023 — the date he was injured against Uruguay.

He made a good impact. He tried one-twos, took a free-kick and got a shot on target. 

Only Djalma Santos, Pelé and Cafu played at least one match in four different World Cups for Brazil.

Nilton Santos, Ronaldo and Thiago Silva were part of four editions, but did not play in 1950, 1994 and 2010, respectively. 

Goalkeeper Castilho, meanwhile, started in 1954 and was a backup in 1950, 1958 and 1962.

Ancelotti also “held back” Douglas Santos and gave more minutes to Endrick.

Brazil won, convinced, and heads strongly into the knockout stage.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.