Vinicius expecting gift from Ancelotti after Brazil top World Cup group

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Vinicius Junior was thrilled with his impressive group-stage performances at the World Cup after Brazil topped their section, and joked he is expecting a gift from coach Carlo Ancelotti after scoring a rare header.

The Selecao defeated Scotland 3-0 in their final game to finish first in Group C on seven points, ahead of Morocco on goal difference.

Vinicius scored a brace in the convincing victory, while Matheus Cunha also got on the scoresheet at Miami Stadium.

Forward Vinicius has become just the fifth Brazilian player to score in all three group stage matches of a single World Cup tournament, after Jairzinho (1970), Romario (1994), and both Ronaldo and Rivaldo (2002); Brazil went on to win the trophy on each of those three previous occasions.

His four goals in 2026 are tied for the most by a Brazilian player at a single first group stage in the World Cup, alongside Ronaldo (2002), Neymar (2014) and Jairzinho (1970).

And Vinicius has been involved in eight of the last 15 goals for Brazil across the last two tournaments.

“I’m not worried about the numbers, but rather about doing my job as best as possible to help the National Team,” he told SporTV.

“I’m very happy with the goals, I even scored a header, which I had promised the coach I would score and he said it was kind of impossible and that he would give me a gift [if I did score one]! So I’ll wait.

“The most important thing is the victories, our improvement in the competition and in the games.

“Now it’s about moving forward and improving even more for the next objective, because now it’s knockout.”

— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 25, 2026

Neymar, meanwhile, became just the fourth player to represent Brazil at four different World Cups, joining Djalma Santos, Cafu, and Pele.

He came on as a substitute for the first time in the tournament (14th appearance), 981 days after he had last played for Brazil (October 2023).

“He [Neymar] got the chance to play because he deserved it, he worked hard to recover,” Ancelotti said.

“I think that in this World Cup, given his qualities, he can help the team. He played for just a few minutes, but he played well.

“Neymar doesn’t need any motivation to play, no player needs motivation to wear the Brazil shirt.

“He’s 34-years-old and still has the same passion as a young boy.”

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