Group Stage: Match 2
Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
Time of Kick-Off: 1:00 PM
Fan Attendance: 57,714
Brazil vs Mexico

It was 12:50 AM and everyone had came back from warming-up. Naruto following closely, sat down at his locker and took a big sigh. Sitting up right he couldn't help but feel like a nervous reck. Coach Scolari had decided to put his faith in him and he'd be starting in this match.

Sure it was something he wanted and worked tirelessly for but at the same time the fact he'd have his entire nation's pride on his shoulders made the job seem very hard.

"Hey, Naruto." Neymar had approached the blond and tapped his shoulder getting his attention. Gazing up the blond watched as the Barcelona star pointed at the television that showed a news broadcast. "They're talking about you." He spoke up as next to the news anchor was a picture of the blond.

"What is she, saying?" the blond said feeling intrigued. Getting up from his locker he approached the tv as it hanged on the wall. "Can someone turn up the volume!" the blond demanded and soon enough it was full blast for all to hear.

"…Brazil having won their opening match with a 3-0 win over Croatia, the entire nation is in complete fanstasy as they watched a great performance from brace super sub hero, Naruto Uzumaki. This is what he had to say after that performance." The tv changed to Naruto's interview after the opening tournament match.

"So Naruto what do you have to say, about that performance?"

"This I have to hear." Thiago Silva spoke up as everyone also wanted to see if the blond was a sportman or a bragger.

"It was all a team effort. From the passing to the hat-trick it was all done because we played like how Coach Scolari wanted us to play. When he said he wanted me to not disappoint him, I made it my mission to not do that."

"And that you did with spades, would you say after this performance, you'll be in the starting XI for the next game?"

"Well I hope but it's all the coach's decision…whether I'm on the bench or not I'll make sure to give it my all to impress him."

"Wow, Naruto. Was that the most cringe interview of all time." Neymar teased as Naruto punched his shoulder in retaliation. "Shut up!" Naruto muttered.

"Well congrats on being the man of the match-"

The tv was cut short by an assistant coach who got everyone's attention. "Alright guys it's time for you to get dressed, entertainment is postponed." The man concluded as everyone did so.

Naruto tucking in his shirt, quickly laced his soccer boots and listened to Scolari's monster of an inspiration talk.

With Hulk being ruled out of the tournament for his injury, Naruto was plotted into his space for the upcoming match.

'Hopefully, it'll be for the entire world cup.' The blond told himself as the teams walked out of the tunnels and into the bright sun. The stadium being packed to the brim by the sea of green was engulfed by the brimming yellow and blue shirts of the Brazilian supporters.

Naruto singing the national anthem with his teammates, greeted the Mexico squad and wished them all a good match. "Ah ah." Neymar spoke up as the starting XI met at the sideline to pose for the team photo.

Naruto tried to be at the back but Neymar stopped him. "Rookies, are to kneel down." He pointed out. "Even for a photo?" Neymar nodded as the blond was about to complain but looked at Thiago Silva.

"Let me guess, tradition." Silva nodded as the blond grumpily knelt down for the team photo. "Good boy." Neymar stated as he ruffled the blond's hair. 'Just how many things do I have to earn on this team?' he asked himself as the photo was quickly taken.

"And now with the photos taken we'll now see how the hosts deal with their second match up against Mexico. How do you think they'll fare Alan." Martin Tyler introduced his voice in the broadcast as his co-worker and best mate Alan Smith spoke his thoughts on the game.

"I think Brazil might walk out here with another win, Martin. Their amazing win in the tournament opener showed why they are the favourites, though that doesn't mean Mexico will back down. I'm thinking a 1-0 win on this one."

With Brazil winning the coin toss, Naruto walked over to the center circle and stood beside the already waiting match ball. Looking around and seeing the sights, the amount of fans that anticipated the moment, Naruto could feel his stomach turn. 'This is way different, than the bench.' The blond thought as soon he was broken out of thought by the blow of the ref's whistle.

"And we are off and running with Uzumaki passing the ball to Fred."

The game started slow, with the Mexicans disrupting Brazil's flow, the team had a hard time creating ways into the box. Naruto running up front and returning with the loss of possession, pressed with great determination, trying all of his tactics to get the opposition to make a mistake, he was in full throttle all the way.

When he saw a telegraphed pass by Chicharito from the left side, he quickly pounced on it, getting the interception.

"Move up!" the blond shouted to Fred who seeing this began making a run up the field.

"What a great interception from Uzumaki. Poor pass from Chicharito's part but here comes Brazil."

Naruto lobbing the ball over to Fred, watched as the winger trapped the ball with his outside foot. Dribbling past the right back, Fred passed to the blond, who with a quick heel flick nutmegged pressing centre back, making a through pass to Neymar, who ran between the centre backs space.

"Ooh! What a cheeky pass from Uzumaki! But here's trouble for Mexico…it's Neymar!"

With great composure, Neymar chipped the ball over the goalkeeper who tried to disrupt his rhythm. As the ball crashed into the net, the entire stadium went ballistic!

"Cheeky pass! Cheeky shot! It's what you'd expect from Brazil. What a talented duo those two are."

Opening the match, Brazil kept this pace going. Now knocking on all cylinders, the Mexican defense couldn't rest from the constant threat Naruto was showing. Having given away a free kick in the 45th minute. Neymar stepped up and bagged a banger sending everyone to the locker-rooms with the managers having to change their half-time talks as in the break Brazil led 2-0.

Coming into the second half, it was a continued play of dominance by Brazil. With Naruto getting a pass from Fred he quickly scooped it over himself as he rushed beside his defender who had a quick reaction and tried to drag the blond down by grabbing his shirt.

Naruto trapping the ball went full throttle and got out of the man's grip. Being one on one with the keeper, the entire stadium went up to their feet to watch the blond look up and put his laces onto the ball.

The goalkeeper getting a hand on it tried to push it out but sadly the shot was too much.

"And Brazil get themselves another one! It's now 3-0." Tyler stated as around them the Brazil supporters continued banging in joy. "He now has three goals, Martin. He's having a heck of a tournament." Smith added as Naruto ran to the corner flag, kicked it and posed for a photographer to capture the moment.

Being mobbed by his teammates the blond smiled as the fans continued drumming along.

Soon enough the ref blew the final whistle ending the shattering loss for Mexico.

"And Brazil continue to dominate their group as they sit with six points on their name."

Going to back to the locker room's with his shirt off, the blond was congratulated for the performance by security. Thanking them all for their support, he got into the locker room to be bombarded with praise from his teammates.

When the man of the match, Neymar returned from his interview, the Brazil locker room went quiet as Scolari ended the day with a speech.

"So far, we've been playing good." He began "As hosts it's essential for us to show our country didn't enter the tournament out of good faith. So in all truth, I want to thank you all for pouring your hearts out into the training ground, today. Continue doing this and we will bring home number five." Everyone clapped at the gaffer's speech and soon enough, groovy music filled the locker room.

"So, Naruto." Neymar hoisted his arm around the blond's shoulder. "Where are we going to eat lunch?" he asked "Honestly…I'm quiet not sure. Never been to this side of the country, before." He replied as the two having been dressed in their casuals walked out of the locker room carrying their duffel bags.

Neymar smiled "Well you're lucky to be friends a tour guide like me, I know this nice new place that just opened up. They've got some great eats, that'll make you want more."

"Well if that's the case, lead the way." Naruto gestured for the winger to take the lead.

Two days later

Back on the training ground, the team was preparing for their last group stage match against Cameroon. Having been practising the entire morning, Naruto breathed heavily as he tried to catch his breath. Having done sprinting, passing and crossing drills the blond's legs we're feeling very heavy. With every single step he took, needing a lot of energy, the blond took a water bottle from one of the coaches as plotted himself onto the floor.

Squirting some water on his face, the blond drank some as he continued to pant. "H-how long have we've been doing this?" he asked the assistant who checked his clock. "About five hours now, it's almost 1:00." The man replied as Naruto groaned in pain. "I might need a message after this." He told the man. "Could you tell one of the staff, to book me?" the man nodded as he wrote down a note to tell the recuperation team of Naruto's request.

Scolari having been walking on the sideline, eyeing his team to see if they were doing the drills well, felt satisfied on what he was seeing. Everyone was going full throttle and the chemistry seemed to keep everyone on their feet. When he noticed Naruto laying on the floor with his shirt over his face to cover the sun's rays. The man approached him.

"Uzumaki." He spoke up as Naruto jolted up. "Did I say it was break time?"

"No, sir." The blond replied as he quickly got onto his feet. "Then why are you on the floor?" Naruto dusting away some grass off his feet looked up nervously.

"It's just…coach…I was feeling kinda tired a few minutes ago."

"Kinda tired?" the blond nodded. "It's just I'm not used to this sort of session, coach. Back at Flamengo, we used to finish at about 12:00, so my body's not used to-" Scolari cut him off. "I don't know if you've noticed, but this isn't Flamengo. Here everyone shows their heart out, whether it's on the pitch or on the training ground."

"Yeah, coach I get that it's just…I'm not used to this."

"You're not used to this? Are you now making excuses?"

"What, no-"

"Yes, I think you are. You think just cause you played well in the last two games your above everyone here?!"

"No that's not what I meant-"

"You know what, you just proved me right, after all. You're back on the bench."

"WHAT!"

"Effective immediately." Scolari went away as Naruto looked gobsmacked.