The match was yet to reach the first hydration break. Brazil were already enjoying the gift of an early goal. In the 22nd minute, Vinicius Junior, scorer of the opener, dispossessed Scottish defender Jack Hendry and slotted in what seemed to be Brazil’s second. The Scots looked crestfallen but ready to move on. Vinicius celebrated in his signature style with teammates, only for VAR to intervene and spot a foul on Hendry in the build-up — the softest possible touch that apparently impeded the defender.The Vinicius of Real Madrid might have exploded at a decision like that and invited a card. But on Wednesday, the 25-year-old offered only a mild reaction. He was ready for the next play, scored again, missed a few more and helped Brazil cruise into the Round of 32 as the top team from Group C, ahead of Morocco. While Vinicius deserves accolades for four goals in three games and for becoming the fifth Brazilian to score in all three group matches, his composure stood out. This is where ‘the Mister’, Carlo Ancelotti, comes in.If the Italian gentleman has made the Brazilian look like a transformed player in Selecao colours since taking charge, it was also Ancelotti who helped Vinicius turn over a new leaf in his Real Madrid career in 2021, when the Italian returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell.Vinicius had endured a wretched season under the outgoing Zinedine Zidane and was often second choice to Eden Hazard whenever the Belgian was fit. Rodrygo, the other Brazilian in the team, was also more to Zidane’s liking. But Ancelotti took it upon himself to make the temperamental Vinicius the first winning project of his final club stint.A winger who could take on the best with his speed — but had looked listless inside the opposition box till then — finally found his feet. The coach instilled belief in Vinicius, treated him with affection and made one crucial tactical tweak: stopped him from taking more than one touch before shooting or playing the final ball inside the box. A player who had scored a total of 15 goals in the three seasons before that finished with 22 in Ancelotti’s first year, including the Champions League-winning strike. Add the assists and Real had a star who could no longer be ignored.A relationship was forged; mutual trust was created. Even when Real were struggling during the 2024-25 season, with Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe often criticised for not putting in enough defensive work, Ancelotti never threw him under the bus. “I will replace you if you don’t run,” Ancelotti was heard telling the Brazilian during a hard-fought La Liga game. But once in the press room, facing a hungry Madrid media, there was not a word against Vinicius.The tactician knew by then that he was going to take over the Brazil job and there was no way he was going to lose his prime weapon. Through thick and thin, two men separated by 42 years have stood by each other. The older one has watched the younger one mature. That has helped Brazil negotiate the choppy waters of the World Cup group stage after a disastrous qualifying campaign in which they finished fifth.“‘Mister’ knows how to deal with situations and has the ability to understand the formation necessary for the team that he manages. He can also keep the dressing room happy and maintain the morale of the team,” Vinicius said in the mixed zone on Wednesday, praising Ancelotti.While a 3-0 win was all good, with Matheus Cunha adding the final polish, what was encouraging was the subdued euphoria of Vinicius and his teammates. They know that in a bloated 48team World Cup, this is merely a baby step and the first real challenge awaits.Vinicius did plenty right, but the clear chances he squandered even on Wednesday may hurt Brazil when push comes to shove. To his credit, he is putting in the extra effort, from pressing defenders to tracking back when necessary, but Brazil will expect a sharper final output, especially when his xG reads 3.2.There is no clarity yet on Raphinha’s fitness, while Neymar was back in national colours after 981 days and Cunha looked sharp. The midfield comprising Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes is not elite, while right-back Danilo left European shores some time ago.From what we have seen of Brazil so far, they are not better than France, Spain, Argentina or the Netherlands. But Ancelotti knows how to make the most of a team when it is not playing at its absolute best.If the tactician has to translate his club success into World Cup glory, Vinicius has to become the Kaka of AC Milan, the Didier Drogba of Chelsea, the Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid or simply the Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid again. Can the ‘Mister’ shepherd his boy to the gold standard of greatness? Brazil is waiting to find the answer.
