Vinicius Junior gets Brazil confidence boost after penalty in Australia win

Vinicius Junior says scoring a penalty in Brazil’s 4-2 friendly victory over Australia has given him the confidence he needed after a difficult start to the season with Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old has scored just once in his first eight competitive appearances for Real Madrid during the opening weeks of the 2026/27 La Liga campaign.

He has also found it difficult to move on from Brazil’s disappointing elimination from the 2026 World Cup, an experience he said had affected him psychologically.

Vinicius won the penalty himself after driving into the Australia penalty area. Bruno Guimaraes had been expected to take the spot-kick, but accepted Carlo Ancelotti’s suggestion that his Real Madrid team-mate should be given the opportunity instead.

“I thought Bruno would want to take it, but he knows that I need a bit of confidence right now, in this moment,” Vinicius said.

“My teammates know I need some confidence now.

“Losing a World Cup is hard and difficult to accept, and the comeback is never easy.”

The penalty was Vinicius’ second for Brazil. Guimaraes said the decision to let him take it had been straightforward.

“Here in the national team, we have no vanity whatsoever,” he said. “Vini really needed to score a goal. He took it very well.

“We have no vanity whatsoever. We want what’s best for Brazil. We’re happy for him and it’s about continuing the work.”

Ancelotti calls for patience

Ancelotti, who manages Vinicius at club level as well as for Brazil, said the forward should not be judged too quickly as he works to recover his best form.

“Is he at his best right now? No, he isn’t, but it is the start of the season,” Ancelotti said.

“Vini, always, even when he isn’t at his best, he can still make the difference, just as he did today.

“The goal that really opened up the game was thanks to him. So, I’m going to be very patient, because he deserves that patience.”

Brazil’s next friendly is against India on Saturday, 3 October, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Vinicius will then return to Real Madrid, who play Villarreal in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on 10 October.