Florida [US], June 25 (ANI): Following his aspect’s win over Scotland that helped them verify their ticket to the knockout levels of the continued FIFA World Cup, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed star participant Neymar’s timeless ardour for the nation and teenager Vinicius Jr as ‘probably the greatest on the planet’.
Brazil secured their place within the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage with a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland of their remaining Group C match at Miami Stadium on Wednesday, June 24 (native time). Vinicius Junior starred for the five-time world champions, scoring twice within the first half earlier than Matheus Cunha added a 3rd after the break to seal prime spot within the group for Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect. Another large optimistic was the return of legendary striker Neymar to motion within the second half, within the remaining jiffy as an alternative.
Following an underwhelming 1-1 draw towards Morocco, Brazil delivered two back-to-back assertion performances with 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland.
Ancelotti mentioned, as quoted by Reuters, that now the staff appears like they’re enjoying as a unit, however nonetheless want to enhance in some issues, like being faster whereas having the ball.
‘I’m completely happy as a result of the staff has improved because the opening match. Being stable is essential now that we have reached the knockout levels,’ he added.
Brazil’s subsequent opponent within the spherical of 32 could be the second-placed staff from Group F, with the Netherlands, Sweden or Japan as potential challengers.
The largest optimistic of the day was Neymar, who featured in his first match in nationwide colors for the primary time since 2023. Ancelotti hailed the veteran, saying that he earned his likelihood and his ardour for the badge stays the identical because it was throughout his days as a teenager.
‘He received the possibility to play as a result of he deserved it, he labored arduous to get better,’ Ancelotti mentioned. ‘I feel that on this World Cup, given his qualities, he may also help the staff. He performed for only a few minutes, however he performed effectively.’
‘Neymar would not want any motivation to play, no participant wants motivation to put on the Brazil shirt. He is 34-years-old and nonetheless has the identical ardour as a younger boy,’ he continued.
Vinicius, who now has 5 targets within the event to date, was praised by Ancelotti for his versatility and the Brazil coach added that he had little question about whether or not he may attain such a giant degree. Vini is in nice kind in the intervening time, and the staff helps him loads. ‘He can play in numerous positions, each on the within and on the wing,’ he mentioned.
‘It may be very rewarding to see Vinicius like this. I had little question he may attain this degree. I used to be not the one who found Vini, he’s a top-class participant, probably the greatest on the planet,’ he continued.
Even after sealing the spot within the knockouts, Ancelotti doesn’t need his staff to get carried away, having not received the title since 2002.
‘I’ve not set a goal for the way far we are able to go. The goal is not only to play effectively, the goal is to win. A supervisor is judged by victory or defeat, not by whether or not the staff performs effectively or badly.’
On what he would inform an excited fanbase again residence, Ancelotti signed off by saying, ‘Stay calm.’ (ANI)