Vinícius Gets Brilliant Assist in Brazil’s Win vs. Croatia

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Brazil's forward #10 Vinicius Junior and Croatia's forward #09 Andrej Kramaric vie for the ball during a friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

The Real Madrid reunion in Orlando, featuring Carlo Ancelotti, Vinícius Jr., Danilo, Casemiro, and Luka Modric, ended in a 3-1 win for the South Americans. 24-year-old Botafogo midfielder, other Danilo in the game – scored from the center of the box after the Real Madrid number seven had run rings around half the Croatian side to pull the perfect cutback from the left, right at the stroke of half time.

Croatia pulled themselves level late on, Lovro Majer converting from close range after Fruk’s curling delivery from the right wing found its way through in the 84th minute. The equaliser proved short-lived, however. Within two minutes, Endrick went down under a challenge from Sutalo, and the referee pointed to the spot. Substitute Igor Thiago stepped forward and coolly dispatched the penalty, marking his first goal in international football.

Any lingering Croatian hopes were extinguished deep into stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli, finding himself in a tight position out wide, drilled a finish into the bottom-right corner to send the Brazilian faithful into raptures.

Vini Jr. was replaced in the 67th minute. He completed 25/29 passes and two out of three long balls. He also created four chances – more than anyone on the pitch. Endrick came in as a late substitute around the 76th-minute mark. The penalty he earned gave Brazil the go-ahead goal.

With preparations wrapped up and a certain berth in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad, Vini Jr. will now return to Madrid for the most crucial stretch of the season for Real Madrid.

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