Brazil analysis: Vinícius breaks new ground at the World Cup as Ancelotti’s men emerge Group C winners | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

For all the criticism that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo received claiming that he had lost the right to start again after a subpar performance against DR Congo, no such problems have arisen for Vinícius Júnior.

Scotland’s hopes of making the World Cup knockouts for the first time took a hit on Wednesday night as a brace from Brazil’s main man inspired them to a 3-0 win at Miami Stadium.

The Real Madrid winger was gifted the opener by a disastrous mistake by Scott McKenna before his second was ruled out for a foul on his fellow defender Jack Hendrie, but headed home to double Brazil’s advantage on the stroke of half time.

Matheus Cunha slotted home number three on the hour mark to send the five-time winners through as Group C winners and put Scotland’s dreams of reaching the round of 32 as the third-placed team into serious doubt, by ending on -3 goal difference.

Vinícius started his campaign in perfect fashion and was there to rescue Brazil from the jaws of a surprise defeat to Morocco in their opening fixture with a trademark run and finish.

To immunize himself from any critics that might have come his way had he failed to find the net once more, the 25-year-old turned in another electric display. Only this time, it was made all too easy by a deeply lackluster Scotland side.

That being said, he still showed the ruthlessness that other teams will require in the cut-throat environment of tournament football.

Steve Clark’s men dared to attempt an intricate pass-and-go from inside their own box, and Brazil simply didn’t allow it. Vinícius found the net, before taking full advantage of Nathan Patterson losing him at the back post to head home his second of the contest.

He looked more likely to complete his hat-trick than not to as the game reached its final stages, ending the night with the most shots, most dribbles completed, and most touches in the opposition penalty area.

Scotland, if anything, can count themselves fortunate that he didn’t, despite the precarious situation they already find themselves in.

So important to Brazil’s World Cup campaign so far, Vinícius became just the fifth player in their history to score in all three group stage matches.

The Real Madrid star will hope he can keep up his fine form in the knockout stages, where Brazil know they are now confirmed to be following another routine victory.

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