PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Vinicius Junior showed why he’s the Most Valuable Player five times. world cup Champion Brazil, scores one goal and contributes to the creation of two goals 3-0 victory over Haiti on Friday night.
Left winger who will soon be 26 years old scored at the end of the first half On a breakaway, he casually flicked the ball past Haitian goalkeeper Johnny Placido. He also assisted Matheus Cunha on one goal and set up the rebound that led to another goal.
Vinicius’ breakthrough performance got Brazil back on track after coach Carlo Ancelotti apologized to fans and drew 1-1 with Morocco last week. After putting steady pressure on Haiti from the beginning, Brazil broke through with fierce attacks.
“I am at the highest level physically, technically and mentally,” Vinicius said. “That’s important. I always dreamed of reaching the most important competition in the world with my 100 percent.”
“I’m here to continue to evolve and lead Brazil to the top,” he added.
Vinicius took a bending shot that bounced off Placido’s glove, setting up Cunha’s put-away to make it 1-0. Thirteen minutes later, he made a long feed to Cunha, who found the back of the net.
In the third minute of added time, it was Vinicius who lured in a long pass and easily won the one-on-one with the diving goalkeeper. Midway through the second half, he made a one-touch pass to an open Gabriel Martinelli and nearly added another assist by hitting the ball against the post.
“Everyone felt lighter today and the field conditions were better, so we were able to play our own football,” Vinicius said.
Vinicius believes part of his breakthrough is due to Ancelotti’s decision to move him between forwards, a different position.
“I haven’t played much there, but whenever the coach asks me to play there, I score, so I have to listen to him more,” he said.
Before the match, the player known as “Vini” said he knew he had to show more in the tournament, even after scoring the goal that brought Brazil level with Morocco.
He believes Brazil is now reaching a breakthrough stage.
“This was a very important game for us,” he said. “We were able to play our game. It gave us some calm and an advantage on the field, where we were able to make a lot of plays and score goals.”
After scoring 16 goals in 36 games for Real Madrid, he helped out on defense several times against Haiti and created numerous scoring chances.
Brazil and Morocco are tied at the top of Group C with four points, followed by Scotland with three points.
The Brazilian is ranked 6th in the world. Haiti finished 85th, becoming the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
