The game had not reached the first peak of hydration. Brazil were already enjoying the gift of an early goal. In the 22nd minute, Vinicius Junior, the opening striker, took a pass from Scotland midfielder Jack Hendry and scored what looked to be Brazil’s second. The Scots look weak but ready to push on. Vinicius celebrated with his signature move with his team-mates, only for VAR to step in and see a foul on Hendry in the build-up – a very soft touch that seemed to thwart the defender.Real Madrid’s Vinicius would explode at a decision like this and call for a card. But on Wednesday, the 25-year-old gave a mild response. They were ready for the next match, scored again, missed a few more and helped Brazil advance to the Round of 32 as the top team from Group C, ahead of Morocco. Although Vinicius is set to score four goals in three games and become the fifth Brazilian to score in all three group games, his composure was evident. This is where ‘The Father’, Carlo Ancelotti, comes in.If the Italian gentleman made the Brazilian look like a revolutionary player in the colors of the Selecao since he was in charge, it was also Ancelotti who helped Vinicius turn a new page in his Real Madrid career in 2021, when the Italian returned to the Spanish giants for the second time.Vinicius endured a poor season under the outgoing Zinedine Zidane and was often second choice to Eden Hazard whenever the Belgian was fit. Rodrygo, another Brazilian in the team, also liked Zidane a lot. But Ancelotti took it upon himself to make the angry Vinicius the first successful project in his last club.A striker who can excel with his pace – but looked useless inside the opposition box until then – finally found his feet. The coach built up faith in Vinicius, he liked him and he made one very important move: he stopped him from taking a few touches before shooting or playing the last ball inside the box. A player who had scored 15 goals in the three seasons before that finished with 22 in Ancelotti’s first year, including a Champions League-winning strike. Add in the assistants and Real had a star that could no longer be overlooked.A relationship was formed; trust was created. Even when Real was struggling in the 2024-25 season, Vinicius is Kylian Mbappe Often criticized for not putting in enough defensive work, Ancelotti didn’t throw him under the bus. “I will replace you if you don’t run,” Ancelotti was heard telling the Brazilian during La Liga’s toughest match. But once in the press room, in front of the hungry fans of Madrid, there was no word against Vinicius.The tactician knew he was going to take on the Brazilian job and there was no way he was going to lose his biggest weapon. Through thick and thin, two men separated by 42 years have been united. The older one watched the younger one graduate. This has helped Brazil qualify for the World Cup after a disastrous campaign in which they finished fifth.“‘Dad’ knows how to deal with situations and can understand the proper structure of the team he manages. He can also make the room more interesting and maintain the team’s interest,” Vinicius said in a press conference on Wednesday, praising Ancelotti.Although the 3-0 win was good, with Matheus Cunha adding the finishing touch, what was more encouraging was the triumphant joy of Vinicius and his teammates. They know that in the 48-team World Cup, this is just a baby step and the first challenge awaits.Vinicius did well, but the clear chance he squandered even on Wednesday could hurt Brazil’s push. To his credit, he’s trying to get things going, starting to press defenders back when needed, but Brazil will be hoping for a late release, especially when his xG reads 3.2.There is no clarity on Raphinha’s progress, with Neymar returning to international form after 981 days and Cunha looking sharp. The central midfielders of Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes are not elite, while right-back Danilo left Europe last season.From what we have seen in Brazil so far, it is not better than France, Spain, Argentina or the Netherlands. But Ancelotti knows how to improve a team when they are not playing very well.If a player has to translate his club’s success into World Cup glory, Vinicius has to be AC ​​Milan’s Kaka, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior again. Can ‘Father’ raise his son to the golden standard of greatness? Brazil is waiting to find a solution.
