Real Madrid can’t let this Vinícius go

Real Madrid have a blessed problem on their hands: tying down Vinicius Júnior - and if it can be done before Brazil’s next World Cup match, all the better. Against Scotland he put on a finishing clinic reserved for the chosen few. He scored twice - both taken superbly - and it should have been a hat trick but for a harsh disallowed goal after he nicked possession and made the slightest contact with the Scottish defender.

Vini on top form

The Madrid star is the embodiment of a Brazil side that’s stout at the back, solid through midfield and loaded with firepower up top. Next up: Japan, the Netherlands, or Sweden. Job done - Brazil top the group with authority, and Neymar has even made his first appearance at this World Cup. Scotland, meanwhile, face an anxious wait as one of the best third-place teams; that minus-three goal differential traveling alongside their points is no friend on the road to the round of 16.

Vinícius’ four goals in three matches underline that we’re seeing the forward at his very best - arguably even a notch above the level he hit a couple of years ago. What he’s producing on North American soil is a full-blown love affair with the net, unlike anything we’ve seen from him before.

Vinícius is the centerpiece of a Brazil team that has already thrown its hat firmly into the ring to reclaim the crown 24 years on. He feels important, he’s in peak form, and head coach Carlo Ancelotti understands him like no one else. The Italian has him playing with freedom - less tethered to the wing, more central, brimming with uncommon confidence. The result was a rampant Vinícius against a Scotland side outclassed from the opening whistle.

The Scots, it must be said, did plenty to help the Real Madrid man shine. In the seventh minute, Scott McKenna tried to show for the ball inside his own box and instead met Rayan’s outstretched leg, which stole possession and teed up Vinícius. A quarter-hour later came the wrongly disallowed goal, and in stoppage time he capped his tally. After the break, goalkeeper Angus Gunn twice denied him, preventing Vini from drawing level with Lionel Messi atop the scoring charts.

Brazil looking ominous

Scotland didn’t trouble Alisson until the fifth minute of the second half, when Scott McTominay tested him with a header. Soon after, the first chants from the stands called for Neymar. There wasn’t much else - an attempt from Lewis Ferguson and another McTominay header - but it was Matheus Cunha who wrapped things up on the hour, finishing off Bruno Guimarães’ second assist. Brazil are moving with assurance, and they’re starting to look downright frightening.

Everything is breaking Brazil’s way under Ancelotti, and the five-time champions’ coach even afforded himself the luxury of sending on Neymar so he could log an appearance at his fourth World Cup - and give the fans a glimpse of their idol. Another managerial masterstroke from the Italian.

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