“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 ring true as Miami continues to be a playground for stars. On this particular night, however, Vinícius Júnior stole the spotlight, navigating effortlessly through the Scottish defense.
As thousands of Scots made their way to Boston, it seemed the affluent upper middle class of São Paulo had also descended on Florida for this significant match. Among the Brazilian luminaries present was Ronaldinho, who not only made headlines by signing with a third-division Italian club during his stay but also enjoyed a VIP spot just outside the players’ tunnel to greet both the players and manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The atmosphere inside Miami Stadium mirrored that of a home game for Brazil, with three of the four stands adorned in vibrant yellow. Although they might not have matched the Tartan Army’s noise levels, the fans were clearly invested in the outcome, having paid good money for their tickets. Beyond securing a victory for qualification and potentially first place in the group, spectators were eager to witness the stars shine, and shine they did.
At the forefront of this Brazilian squad was Vinícius, who arrived at the match boasting two goals and two man-of-the-match accolades from the World Cup. The moment the whistle blew, the ball found its way to him, albeit briefly, as Scotland’s Nathan Patterson quickly intervened. Yet this was a rare occurrence; Vinícius’ influence on the game was undeniable. He didn’t require constant duels with defenders to assert his presence.
After Rayan capitalized on a careless touch from Scott McKenna and set up Vinícius to score Brazil’s opening goal in just the seventh minute, any lingering pressure on Ancelotti’s squad dissipated. Vinícius responded enthusiastically, darting left and right. By the 22nd minute, he appeared centrally, intercepting a pass from Jack Hendry and charging towards the goal, only to be thwarted by a VAR decision reminiscent of those typically given against England defenders. He soon earned a well-deserved brace, timing a Bruno Guimarães cross perfectly to head the ball home at the back post, as both Angus Gunn and Patterson faltered.
Vinícius wasn’t alone in his brilliance; in the second half, fellow stars made their presence felt. Matheus Cunha, who started Brazil’s opening match against Morocco on the bench, showcased his confidence and skill as the No. 9. Following two goals against Haiti, he added a clinical third goal in this match—a sidefoot strike that curled around two defenders and past Gunn, who was fully stretched, finding the net. A surfing celebration followed, and his dazzling smile lit up the cameras. Clearly, he possesses star quality.
While one might argue that Guimarães occupies a less glamorous role, his contributions were no less impressive. The Newcastle captain’s mesmerizing cross for the second goal was complemented by a silky assist for the third, where he maneuvered outside the box, sending Patterson tumbling before delivering a perfectly weighted pass to Cunha—an act typically associated with a No. 10 rather than a midfielder.
Perhaps it’s an English bias that causes the Premier League players in this Brazilian lineup to stand out, but for the fans present, there was one player they were particularly eager to see. Neymar made his long-awaited entrance from the bench with 14 minutes remaining, marking his first appearance of this World Cup after a surprising recall. Though he didn’t make a significant impact, every touch was met with cheers (the Scottish fans had similarly applauded their players during the exciting initial minutes). In the 90th minute, he earned a free-kick, played it short to retrieve the ball, drifted to the top of the penalty area, and took a shot that Gunn easily saved, evoking memories of his past heroics in high-stakes matches.
It is often said that the value of a team transcends the sum of its parts, a notion supported by numerous examples. However, Brazil’s fans still crave star power, and this World Cup, in particular, is highlighting the profound impact these players can have on matches and their outcomes. Vinícius has consistently delivered for Brazil, earning his third man-of-the-match award following this game. Other players, perhaps overshadowed by his brilliance, are also beginning to step into the limelight. For Scotland, who have yet to see their key players like Scott McTominay, John McGinn, or Andy Robertson deliver, the situation is one of envy.
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