"The 'idol' has returned, and Brazil's World Cup has truly begun.

By Han Bing According to Han Bing: "Our idol has come back; this means a lot to all Brazilian fans." Vinicius, who netted four times in three games, beamed with joy, while Neymar complimented his junior, "Vinicius is the key player on our team right now, and he's in an unbelievable phase." The snapshot of them clapping then embracing is surely the perfect moment for Brazilian fans to celebrate their group-topping qualification.

With Vinicius's brace, Brazil easily defeated Scotland 3-0 to secure their 16th group-stage top finish in World Cup history. Vinicius was the top contributor to Brazil's advancement, but the one who drew more attention was Neymar, who played for Brazil again after 981 days.

"Now, we are a team," said Brazil coach Ancelotti bluntly after the match. Brazil's Globo Esporte lamented: Only with Neymar is Brazil's team complete, and the team's World Cup journey truly begins now...

The outcome of the Brazil-Scotland match was never in doubt. Nearly 65,000 fans packed the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, most of them waiting for a historic moment. After Brazil secured a 3-0 lead, in the 76th minute, Ancelotti finally called Neymar over and substituted him in for the impressive Cunha. The stadium erupted in cheers, with Neymar's name echoing throughout. The last time Neymar played for Brazil was on October 18, 2023, in a World Cup South American qualifier where Brazil lost 0-2 to Uruguay. In that period, Brazil had gone through three different coaches and played 33 matches.

Neymar only played 14 minutes, mostly cautiously, without his trademark speed dribbles and sprints. Still, he created three attacking chances, second only to Rayan and Paqueta (four chances each) in the match. He even executed a sliding tackle in the opponent's penalty area. For Brazilian fans, Neymar's comeback meant more than Brazil finishing top of the group. After the final whistle, Neymar broke down in tears, even revealing that he cried alone in the locker room afterward. Undoubtedly, this day was one of the most important moments in his career.

Although he only came off the bench, it was enough for Neymar, who had been absent from the Brazil team for nearly three years: "After almost three years, I'm finally back. I am very happy, excited, and even a little emotional. I cried alone in the locker room because going through all this again made me feel relieved. Thank you to every Brazilian who encouraged me, and especially to my family." The tearful Neymar even emphasized that "he could play 200 minutes per game."

With Neymar's appearance, he equaled Pelé's World Cup appearance record (14 matches). If Brazil reaches the semifinals and Neymar plays in all knockout matches, he will surpass Bebeto, Lúcio, Roberto Carlos, Dunga, and Taffarel, matching Ronaldo's 19 appearances. Additionally, Neymar became the fourth player in Brazilian history to participate in four World Cups. For a country rich in talent like Brazil, this is a remarkable achievement. However, the three predecessors—Djalma Santos, Pelé, and Cafu—all have World Cup titles. The World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico gives Neymar a chance to stand alongside them, and it is his last opportunity to pursue the trophy.

Neymar's return is a spiritual success for Brazil. On the pitch, although Vinicius and Cunha maintained good finishing instincts, the team's performance was not flawless. Objectively speaking, the easy victory was largely due to the "gift" of Scotland's defensive blunders.

Globo Esporte emphasized that although Brazil still appears somewhat chaotic and the transitions between attack and defense are not smooth enough, the players are at least full of energy. With consecutive wins against Haiti and Scotland, Brazil's chemistry and confidence are steadily building. After the match, Ancelotti stressed that Brazil, as a team, improves with every game: "Compared to the first match, we made fewer errors, had a faster pace, and were more efficient in attack. If we control the rhythm, we can be even faster. The team has improved a lot, and now we are solid, because solidity is crucial in the knockout stage."

Ancelotti specifically praised Vinicius, Neymar, and the 19-year-old youngster Rayan. Vinicius, who scored a brace, was the biggest contributor to the victory. In the 7th minute, he took advantage of a high-pressing turnover by Rayan and calmly slotted into an empty net. In the 3rd minute of first-half stoppage time, Brazil again stole the ball in the attacking third, and Vinicius scored his second. Vinicius found the net in all three group-stage matches, a feat only four Brazilian players had accomplished before: Jairzinho (1970), Romário (1994), Ronaldo and Rivaldo (2002). All of them went on to win the World Cup, which fills Brazilian fans with great expectations for this tournament.

In the three group matches, Vinicius was the absolute core of Brazil's attack, with 12 shots, 8 on target, creating 5 chances, totaling 4 goals and 1 assist. If not for his disallowed goal in the 22nd minute after a tackle on Hendry, he could have scored a hat-trick. Neymar did not hold back his praise for the younger player: "I am very satisfied with Vinicius's form. He is our core player, constantly dictating the flow of the game, which is crucial for us."

Additionally, in the 60th minute, Cunha sealed the victory for Brazil, showing consistent form as a center-forward. The 19-year-old Rayan became the sixth U20 player to start a World Cup match for Brazil, the previous one being left-back Antonio in the 1970 World Cup, 56 years ago. Before him were the 19-year-old Tostão (1966), Pelé, Mazzola (1958), and Carvalho Leite (1930).

Rayan replaced the injured Raphinha in the starting lineup and delivered a commendable performance. Vinicius's first goal came from Rayan's aggressive press in the forward area. He created multiple chances and nearly scored himself in the 50th minute, only to be denied by a brilliant save from the Scottish goalkeeper. Rayan ensured stability on both flanks of Brazil's attack while also executing Ancelotti's high-pressing strategy in midfield and attack. With Neymar's return, Brazil's offense will have even more possibilities, which is what Ancelotti finds most gratifying.

The Italian coach is not concerned about the knockout-stage opponents; he cares more about the team's growing tactical cohesion and the team spirit that has begun to emerge. With the return of Neymar, a superstar who can help the team both in the locker room and on the pitch, Brazil's confidence in winning the title continues to rise.