“Water so clear you can see to the bottom, hundred thousand dollar cars e’ybody got ‘em. Ain’t no surprise in the club to see Sly Stallone, Miami my second home.”
Will Smith’s words continue to resonate, and on this night, Miami was indeed a stage for the stars. However, from the Scottish viewpoint, Vinícius Júnior was the standout performer, effortlessly navigating their defense.
As thousands of Scots settled in Boston, it felt like a significant portion of São Paulo’s upper middle class had made their way to Florida for this monumental match. Brazilian celebrities were also in attendance, notably Ronaldinho, who not only signed with a third division Italian club during his stay but also enjoyed a VIP spot just outside the players’ tunnel to greet both the squad and manager Carlo Ancelotti as they entered.
The Miami Stadium buzzed with an atmosphere akin to a home game for Brazil, with three of the four stands awash in yellow. While they might not have matched the Tartan Army’s vocal prowess, the fans certainly had a vested interest in the game, having spent good money on their tickets. They were there not only to witness a crucial qualification match but also to see their stars shine, and shine they did.
Leading the Brazilian charge was Vinícius, who entered the match already boasting two goals and two man of the match accolades at the World Cup. His influence was felt almost immediately as the whistle blew, although Scotland’s Nathan Patterson managed to snatch the ball away briefly. However, it was clear that such moments were rare; Vinícius didn’t need to outmaneuver his opponents at every turn to make his presence felt. His first goal was almost effortless.
After Rayan capitalized on a clumsy touch from Scott McKenna to square the ball to Vinícius, Brazil took the lead just seven minutes in. This early goal alleviated any pressure on Ancelotti’s previously wobbly side. Vinícius responded with energy, darting left and right across the pitch. In the 22nd minute, he stole the ball from Jack Hendry and surged through to score, though VAR intervened, ruling the goal out. Nevertheless, he secured a well-deserved brace before halftime, perfectly timing his jump to head in a cross from Bruno Guimarães after both Angus Gunn and Patterson misjudged the situation.
Vinícius was not alone in his brilliance, as other stars joined the fray in the second half. Matheus Cunha, who started Brazil’s opening match against Morocco on the bench, showcased his capability as the starting No. 9. After netting two goals against Haiti, he added a clinical third goal in this match, a precise side-footed shot that curved around two defenders and found the net with Gunn stretching to save. His celebration, reminiscent of a surfing move, showcased his confidence and charisma.
While he may occupy a less glamorous position, Bruno Guimarães also left his mark on the game. The Newcastle skipper delivered a stunning cross for the second goal and followed it up with an assist for the third, demonstrating skill with a shimmy that sent Patterson to the ground before slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Cunha. Such finesse is usually expected from an attacking midfielder, not a defensive pivot.
Perhaps an English bias makes the Premier League players in this Brazilian squad stand out, but it was Neymar who the fans eagerly awaited. He emerged from the bench with 14 minutes remaining, marking his first appearance of the World Cup following his surprising recall. Though he didn’t have a significant impact, every touch he made was met with applause, reminiscent of the Scottish fans’ cheers for their players during the exhilarating moments of the match’s early minutes. In the 90th minute, he took a free kick, played it short to receive the ball back, and managed a shot that Gunn saved with relative ease, evoking memories of his past performances in high-stakes matches.
It’s often said that the value of a team exceeds the sum of its parts, and there are numerous examples to support this claim. However, Brazilian fans crave star power, and the ongoing World Cup has highlighted how such players can influence matches and their outcomes. Vinícius has consistently shown up for Brazil, earning his third man of the match award after this game. Other players, perhaps initially overshadowed by his brilliance, are beginning to shine as well. Meanwhile, Scotland, whose hopes have been dashed by their key players like Scott McTominay, John McGinn, and Andy Robertson, can only watch with envy.
- Vinícius Júnior
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