Carlo Ancelotti praises Vinicius Junior after stunning Brazil performance at FIFA World Cup

The Real Madrid star continued his outstanding tournament form in Miami, finding the net twice before half-time, including a rare headed goal, as Brazil secured a comfortable win. Matheus Cunha added the third goal in a performance that underlined Brazil's growing confidence in the competition.

Ancelotti was full of praise for Vinicius, who has now scored four goals in three matches at the tournament.

"I had no doubts about how he would be coming into this World Cup," Ancelotti said. "For him it is an honour to play for the national team. He is playing well and he even scored a header, which is very rare for him.

"I knew all about what Vini could do. He is one of the best players in the world."

The 25-year-old has scored in every group match, having also found the net against Morocco and Haiti. His four-goal tally leaves him level with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, with all three trailing Lionel Messi by one goal.

Vinicius also joined an exclusive group of Brazilian greats. He became the first Brazilian player since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 to score in all three World Cup group matches. Jairzinho achieved the feat in 1970, while Romario did so in 1994.

Despite his impressive numbers, Vinicius insisted team success remains his priority.

"I always say I am not that bothered about numbers," he said. "I am not used to scoring so many goals, but the coach has moved me into a position to which I have adapted well. Now I am scoring and helping the team.

"Hopefully I can keep going to the final. I am very happy with the work being done by the team. If everyone is playing well, the ball will arrive in attacking areas and we will have chances to score goals."

Another major positive for Brazil was the return of Neymar, who made his first international appearance since October 2023 after replacing Cunha in the second half.

"He deserved to come on," Ancelotti said. "He has worked hard and trained hard to recover fitness. He has done it very professionally.

"He has the quality to help the team at this World Cup and he played well in the few minutes he was on.

"He needs no motivation to play for Brazil. He is 34 but he has the same passion for playing football as a kid."

Brazil will now travel to Houston for their last-32 match against the runners-up from Group F, which could be the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden.

Ancelotti believes his side are improving with every game.

"Compared to the first game we are making fewer errors, playing with more rhythm, and we are more clinical up front," he said.

"The objective was to finish first, and now we just need to keep working and getting better for the next game.

"Now we are really playing as a team. We are not perfect and we still have things to improve on, but we are becoming more solid. That is really important in the knockout rounds."

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