Also known as: Vini
Vinicius Junior — Brazilian footballer for Real Madrid who scored twice against Scotland in World Cup Group C and netted in group-stage wins over Haiti and Morocco.
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The Namibian
Vinicius Junior scored four goals during the tournament
“Star forward Vinicius Junior, who scored four goals during the tournament, called it "a very sad day".”
Ancelotti promises Brazil will bounce back after World Cup exitThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior became the first Brazilian since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup
“He became the first Brazilian since Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002 to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup.”
Norway pin hopes on Haaland against Brazil in World Cup last 16The Namibian
Vinicius Junior made four goals in three World Cup games
“Vinicius Junior made it four goals in three games at the World Cup as Brazil cruised to a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, sealing progress to the last 32 as Group C winners and leaving their opponents in danger of another first-round exit.”
Vinicius Junior sparkles as Brazil beat Scots to reach World Cup last 32The Namibian
Vinicius Junior scored in Brazil's 3-0 victory over Haiti
“Two goals from Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha and a Vinicius Junior strike sealed a comfortable win for the Brazilians in a one-sided game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.”
Brazil romp, Scotland stumbleThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco
“Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday as the five-time World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the tournament in New Jersey.”
Vinicius earns Brazil draw with Morocco in World Cup openerThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior is described as the one world-class attacking talent that could carry Brazil to glory
“Vinicius is the one world-class attacking talent that could carry his country to glory.”
Brazil’s World Cup challenge faces Morocco test in Group CThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior played his best football under Ancelotti's orders at Real Madrid
“Vinicius Junior's best football of his career came under Ancelotti's orders at Real Madrid.”
World Cup glory attracts superstar coaches into international battleThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior sent Madrid ahead in Andalusia
“Mbappe teed up his strike partner Vinicius to send Madrid ahead in Andalusia, bringing down a cross which the Brazilian powered home.”
Sevilla safe despite Real Madrid defeat, Mallorca on brinkThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior is expected to lead the line for Los Blancos
“They are waiting to see if top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe can be involved after a thigh injury, while Vinicius Junior is expected to lead the line for Los Blancos.”
History chasing Barca eye title party in Liga ClasicoThe Namibian
Vinicius Junior scored twice for Real Madrid
“Vinicius Junior struck twice for Real Madrid in a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday to make La Liga leaders Barcelona wait to be crowned Spanish champions.”
Vinicius double delays Barca title as Real Madrid down EspanyolBrazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team's last-16 World Cup loss to Norway should fuel future improvement, calling it "the start of a new cycle" rather than an ending. Ancelotti, who was appointed a year ago to guide Brazil to a record sixth World Cup title, dismissed suggestions he would step down.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team's last-16 World Cup loss to Norway should fuel future improvement, calling it "the start of a new cycle" rather than an ending. Ancelotti, who was appointed a year ago to guide Brazil to a record sixth World Cup title, dismissed suggestions he would step down.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Norway will play Brazil in Sunday's World Cup last-16 match, hoping to repeat their 1998 group-stage victory. Erling Haaland, who scored his fifth goal at the tournament against Ivory Coast, is central to their hopes, though Coach Solbakken acknowledges Brazil are favourites.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil advanced to the World Cup last 16 after substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 95th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over Japan. Brazil will face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 on Wednesday, securing top spot in Group C and progression to the last 32. Brazil will face the runners-up in Group F on June 29 in Houston.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil defeated Haiti 3-0 in a World Cup Group C match to eliminate the Caribbean nation from contention, with goals from Matheus Cunha (two) and Vinicius Junior, though Brazil's Raphinha suffered an apparent injury. Morocco won their first tournament game, defeating Scotland 1-0 with a goal from Ismael Saibari in the second minute.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday in the Group C opener. Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, though this performance suggests significant work lies ahead.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Omar Artan, set to be the first match official from Somalia to referee at a World Cup finals, was turned back at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to "vetting concerns" from US Customs and Border Protection. FIFA confirmed he would play no part in the tournament, citing the decision as the sole preserve of the United States as tournament co-host.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil, hunting their first World Cup title in 24 years, face Morocco—semi-finalists in 2022—and Scotland in Group C, with new coach Carlo Ancelotti tasked with optimizing an unbalanced squad featuring strong defensive options but clear gaps at full-back, midfield, and centre-forward.
26 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 World Cup has attracted leading coaches to international positions, including Thomas Tuchel to England and Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil, reversing international football's typical struggles to compete with club football for top talent.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored as Real Madrid won 1-0 at Sevilla on Sunday, but Sevilla secured safety from relegation through other results. Mallorca, 19th after losing 2-0 to Levante, and Girona, 18th after a 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, are in danger of relegation.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico on Sunday, clinching La Liga in consecutive years and moving 14 points clear of second-place Madrid with three matches remaining.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona, leading by 11 points, host Real Madrid on Sunday needing only a draw to clinch a second consecutive La Liga title. A victory could help them set records with a potential 100 points and 33 victories if they win their final four matches.
8 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday, postponing Barcelona's chance to be crowned Spanish champions. Barcelona lead by 11 points with four matches remaining and will next attempt to claim their 29th league title when they host Real Madrid in a week.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA boosted total World Cup cash distributions to nearly $900 million (specifically $871 million) from an initial $727 million, citing concerns over rising costs for the 48 teams competing in Mexico, Canada and the United States. The increase includes raising preparation costs per team from $1.5 million to $2.5 million and qualifying payments from $9 million to $10 million per team.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Betis drew 1-1 with Real Madrid on Friday in La Liga, with Hector Bellerin scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Vinicius Junior's 17th-minute opener. Barcelona provisionally leads Madrid by eight points after the result.
25 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid 4-3 on Wednesday to secure a 6-4 aggregate victory and advance to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain. Late goals from Luis Diaz and Michael Olise sealed Bayern's progress after the match remained competitive throughout, with Real Madrid reduced to ten men following Eduardo Camavinga's second yellow card.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Luis Diaz and Harry Kane scored to give Bayern Munich a 2–1 victory at Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, though Kylian Mbappe's second-half goal kept the tie open ahead of next week's return match in Munich.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Paris St Germain defender Marquinhos will miss Brazil's friendly against France in Boston but may return for the next friendly against Croatia. Coach Carlo Ancelotti said the match offers a chance to evaluate three new centre-backs ahead of the World Cup.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid defeated Elche 4-1 in La Liga on Saturday, with goals from Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde, Dean Huijsen, and Arda Guler. The victory moves Los Blancos within one point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga ahead of the Catalans' match against Sevilla.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, while PSG beat Chelsea 5-2 and Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Federico Valverde's heavily deflected 95th-minute shot secured a 2-1 La Liga win for Real Madrid at Celta Vigo on Friday, pulling them within one point of Barcelona. The Spanish giants played with 10 injured players, including French striker Kylian Mbappe, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa said he hoped the victory could mark a turning point after two consecutive league defeats.
7 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2–1 in the Champions League knockout play-off on Wednesday, progressing 3–1 on aggregate. The match followed a racism incident in the first leg involving Vinicius and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who remains banned pending a UEFA investigation.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Osasuna on Saturday in La Liga after Raul Garcia's 90th-minute goal, a significant blow to their title hopes as Barcelona trail by just two points. Atletico Madrid bounced back from a four-game winless streak with a 4-2 victory over Espanyol to strengthen their grip on fourth place.
22 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior's 50th-minute curled finish secured Real Madrid a 1-0 Champions League play-off first leg victory at Benfica, though the match was halted as officials applied racism protocol after the Brazilian complained of alleged abuse. Benfica coach José Mourinho was sent off in the final stages, and Madrid will face Benfica again next week at the Santiago Bernabéu.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Goals from Álvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé gave Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Valencia on Sunday, narrowing the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to one point. Madrid had to do without suspended Vinícius Junior and injured Jude Bellingham, with Trent Alexander-Arnold making his return from injury as a substitute.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa and striker Kylian Mbappe both emphasize the need for consistency as the team prepares to face Valencia in La Liga, with Arbeloa stressing that hard work rather than magic is required to turn around recent inconsistent performances.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 2-0 on Saturday, moving the club two points clear atop La Liga. The win marked Madrid's third consecutive victory under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
25 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior's resurgent form, highlighted by a dominant display in Real Madrid's 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco, has lifted the team ahead of a crucial La Liga clash with Villarreal where victory could move them top of the table. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has backed the Brazilian winger publicly, and Vinicius has credited the fans' support for his return to form after a lengthy scoring drought.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Barcelona are among Europe's major clubs facing crucial Champions League matches this week to secure direct qualification to the knockout phase or avoid additional playoff rounds. The top eight teams qualify directly for the last 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th must play two-legged playoffs.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →