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Although damage has already been done by the Selecao’s new hopes, the old timer has shown glimpses of what is yet to come in his nation’s canary yellow.
He spent 20 minutes on the park, enjoying 24 touches – the man he replaced on 76 minutes managed a further 14. He also managed a shot at the target.
Really, it doesn’t matter. The big screens locked on him again after the match as he approached the fans before hugging his young daughter in front of the stands.
A hero returns for Brazil at a time when greatness is fiercely desired.
The five-time world champions have been without the game’s biggest prize since 2002. For their last tournament win you have to go back to 2019 when they won their ninth Copa America.
The Brazilians are inconsistent under Ancelotti. Wins have not been achieved against Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Japan, Tunisia, France and most recently Morocco.
Against a self-destructive Scotland, they had a flurry of spells with a ruthless streak cooked in for good measure.
The fans came out of the Miami Stadium in joy, for the victory that saw them top Group C, and because their forgotten man had played his part.
“Pele is the best player of all time. There is no comparison,” one supporter told BBC Sport as he walked off the field. He won three World Cups for Brazil.
“Neymar will be among the best. He can be equal to Ronaldo or Ronaldinho if he wins the World Cup.
“I was at the Maracana in 2016, when he scored the decisive goal in the Olympics, and it was a title that Brazil had never won before, but the World Cup is the title we need, and we are going for the six stars.
“I think he can open up the field and bring Jogo Bonito (to play beautifully), as they say.
“They have to respect who he is and who he was, because if you don’t, he’s going to make you pay, that’s for sure.”
