With minimalism, speed and touches, Vinicius shows he is Brazil’s figurehead
The cameras trailed Vinicius Junior into the tunnel at half time. He turned back with a waspish smile and held up three fingers. He had pinched a pair of goals, but the goal the Video Assistant Referee chalked off, unjustifiably for him, was incensing him. Before he passed to the tunnel, he stopped beside the assistant referee and wagged his index finger with a sarcastic smile. The disallowed goal, for a contentious nudge on the defender Jack Hendry when he stole the ball, was playing in his mind, amidst the snake-hip gyration that followed the second goal. Brazil’s third goal eventually came, but from Matteus Cunha to wrap Brazil’s most emphatic day in the World Cup, skinning Scotland, their knockout hopes at the largesse of fate. It was the numerical allure of a hat-trick that was disturbing him; but its wider, intangible significance. Every goal scored takes him, or any Brazilian, closer to gaining unconditional love from their demanding fans. Every goal scored is another crucification passed; every goal takes him closer to the pedestal …
