“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.”
These words from Will Smith still capture the essence of Miami, a vibrant city where stars gather. On this particular night, however, it was Vinícius Júnior who took center stage, skillfully navigating through the Scottish defense.
Much like how Scots have settled in Boston, it seemed that a significant portion of São Paulo’s upper-middle class had made their way to Florida for this match. Brazilian celebrities were also in attendance, most notably Ronaldinho, who took the opportunity to officially sign with a third-division Italian club while in the city. He was granted a VVIP spot just outside the players’ tunnel, allowing him to greet players and manager Carlo Ancelotti as they entered the field.
The atmosphere inside Miami Stadium resembled a home game for Brazil, with three of the four stands adorned in yellow. Although the Brazilian supporters may not have matched the noise level of the Tartan Army, they certainly had a vested interest in the outcome. Fans were eager for a result that would secure qualification and potentially first place in the group, but they were also there to witness the stars shine, and shine they did.
Among the Brazilian squad, Vinícius stood out, entering the match with two goals and two man-of-the-match awards from the World Cup. The moment the whistle blew, the ball found its way to him. Though Scotland’s Nathan Patterson briefly intercepted it, that was a rare occurrence. The Real Madrid forward demonstrated that he didn’t always need to outmaneuver his opponent to make his presence known. For Brazil’s first goal, he hardly needed to exert himself.
After Rayan capitalized on a misstep by Scott McKenna and passed to Vinícius, Brazil took the lead in the seventh minute, easing any pressure that had been on Ancelotti’s previously faltering side. Vinícius responded with enthusiasm, darting left and right. In the 22nd minute, he found himself in the center, stealing the ball from Jack Hendry and charging forward to score, only to be thwarted by a VAR decision reminiscent of those typically affecting English defenders. Before halftime, he secured a well-deserved brace, heading in a cross from Bruno Guimarães after both Angus Gunn and Patterson misjudged the play.
Vinícius was not alone in his brilliance, as other stars emerged in the second half. Matheus Cunha, who began Brazil’s first match against Morocco on the bench, has since taken on the No. 9 role and demonstrated his capability here. After scoring two goals against Haiti, he added a clinical third in this game, a side-footed shot that curved around two defenders and found its way into the net despite Gunn’s best efforts. His surfing celebration lit up the crowd, showcasing his star quality.
While he may play a less glamorous role, Bruno Guimarães also made a significant impact. The Newcastle captain delivered an exquisite cross for the second goal and followed it with an elegant assist for the third. His deft move outside the box left Patterson on the ground as he set up Cunha with a perfectly timed pass, reminiscent of a classic No. 10’s play.
Perhaps due to a bias toward Premier League players, those in the Brazilian squad stood out to fans. However, they were eagerly awaiting Neymar’s entry from the bench with just 14 minutes left, marking his first appearance in this World Cup after a surprising recall. While he didn’t make a significant impact, every touch he received was met with cheers (the Scottish fans had similarly applauded their players during the early minutes). In the 90th minute, he earned a free kick, played it short to regain possession, drifted towards the edge of the box, and attempted a shot that Gunn easily saved. It was a fleeting reminder of the magic he once consistently produced in high-stakes matches.
The strength of a team often surpasses that of its individual members, a sentiment echoed by many. However, Brazil’s fans crave star power, and this World Cup is highlighting how these players can sway matches and their outcomes. Vinícius has consistently delivered for Brazil, earning yet another player of the match award following this game. Other players, perhaps operating in his shadow, are beginning to shine as well. As for Scotland, whose hopes have not materialized—whether through Scott McTominay, John McGinn, or Andy Robertson—they can only watch in envy.
- Vinícius Júnior
- Brazil
- Scotland
- World Cup 2026
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