Vinicius Junior starred for Brazil in their 6-2 win against Panama at the Maracana ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
With key absentees including Neymar, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos and Gabriel Martinelli, attention in Rio de Janeiro fell heavily on Vinicius, who returned to the stadium where he rose through Flamengo’s academy.
He needed less than two minutes to make his mark. After a loose Panama pass was punished in midfield, Vinicius collected possession on the edge of the box and smashed a powerful strike into the top corner to set the tone for the night.
Panama briefly responded when Michael Murillo’s free-kick deflected off Matheus Cunha in the wall, wrong-footing Alisson and sneaking inside the post.
But Brazil quickly regained control, and Vinicius was at the heart of it again. In the 39th minute he surged down the left, beat two defenders with ease, and delivered a precise cross for Casemiro to head home.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti made wholesale changes at half-time, with only centre-back Leo Pereira remaining from the starting XI. The impact was immediate.
Seven minutes after the restart, a mistake from Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera allowed substitute Rayan to score into an empty net.
Lucas Paqueta added a deflected finish for 4-1, before Igor Thiago converted from the penalty spot after Mosquera brought him down.
Danilo made it six with a close-range strike, before Carlos Harvey hit a superb late reply for Panama with a powerful effort into the top corner.
Ancelotti was left encouraged by Brazil’s performance and the energy inside the stadium.
“It was a beautiful night, we have to thank the fans, the atmosphere they created, it was a tremendous injection of confidence,” he said. “I know perfectly well that we started well, with a good attitude and commitment.
“The work started well in these days, but the work is not only commitment and attitude, it is about being strong, resilient, every day, whether in good or bad moments, in order to finish well.”
Brazil now turn their attention to a meeting with Egypt next weekend before opening their World Cup Group C campaign against Morocco.
