The ending of The Beautiful Game is predictable, there’s no doubt about that. But the lesson learned by protagonist Vinny that the real-life Homeless World Cup is about more than just winning or playing football is one we could all stand to be reminded of.
Vinny is a talented football player and father who lives in his car and struggles to make ends meet. One day, he’s approached by Mal in the park who invites him to play in the Homeless World Cup. Mal’s team consists of an enthusiastic group of unhoused people hoping this opportunity will improve their lives. At first, Vinny denies not having a home and refuses to join the team. He eventually changes his mind because he wants to make his daughter proud.
England Play Italy in the Semi-Finals
Thanks to Vinny’s excellent playing skills, England’s team beats Japan and makes it into the semifinals. By that point in the competition, Mika learned how important the trip itself was for her team and wasn’t too upset about the loss. Instead, she was thrilled they managed to score a couple of times.
Nathan took Vinny’s words about drugs to heart and stopped taking his methadone. This mentally overwhelmed him to the point where he needed to immediately fly back to the U.K. and start working on his recovery again.
For political reasons, Aldar also decided not to play in the semifinals against Italy. But after watching the team losing from the sidelines, Aldar puts his issues aside and jumps into the game at the last minute. The game ends with a tie, meaning it will be settled in penalties. Considering Italy won four European Championships and one World Cup in penalty shootouts in the last two decades, Mal is understandably concerned. And he was right to be. Italy wins their spot in the finals, while England is left to compete in the playoffs for third place.
Vinny Doesn’t Take Defeat Well
Bill Nighy in The Beautiful Game | Image via Netflix
Vinny is understandably disappointed with the result, but Mal tells his team how proud he is of their achievements even if they didn’t win the cup.
Back in the dorms, the team has a bit of a blow-out where Vinny insults all the other players for their lives before playing football. We find out that Aldar was a barber back in Syria before having to flee the country and offers to give everyone an “excellent shave.” While Aldar’s distraction briefly defuses the situation, a call from his daughter pushes Vinny over the edge.
He’s appalled about his daughter giving a speech at her school’s assembly about him playing in the Homeless World Cup. Vinny reveals he used to be a professional player for West Ham. He then runs off, and steals a football from a group of Italian teenagers, before finding a nice secluded rock to sleep on.
Mal Blames Himself For Vinny’s Circumstances
Over dinner, Mal tells Gabriella the reason he brought Vinny to the tournament. When Vinny was 12, Mal scouted him for West Ham. At the time, he saw potential in the young boy and thought he could make it as a professional football player. After a few years, West Ham let Vinny go because he wasn’t good enough for the big leagues. The failure stayed with him and he was never able to piece his life back together. Mal confessed he feels responsible and wanted to make amends for his part in sidetracking Vinny’s life.
Right before the playoff game against the USA, Mal takes the team to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain (at a suspiciously convenient time when it’s not surrounded by hundreds of tourists and influencers with their selfie sticks – they must all be in the stands waiting for the playoffs to start).
Vinny is late for the game because he somehow overslept on the comfy rock. As soon as he wakes up, he runs through the city to make it to the game. While he does arrive on time, the security guard thinks he’s just a late fan and denies him entry, forcing Vinny to watch the game on the screen outside. To everyone’s surprise, the team wins without him.
Vinny Gets A Second Chance
After the game, Vinny finds another comfortable-looking rock to sulk on when he’s approached by Sister Protasia. One of the South African players is injured and she wants him to join her team for the big final. He tries to say no but changes his mind after the wise nun gives him a pep talk about teamwork and second chances.
When they see Vinny taking his spot on the pitch, Mal and the rest of the team start cheering him on. With Vinny on the team, South Africa wins the Homeless World Cup.
At the awards ceremony, Rosita receives a special Player of the Tournament award. She’s also been scouted by a U.S. university to play on their team.
The Importance of Teamwork
During the celebrations, Mal approaches Vinny and gives him his 3rd place medal. Mal finally tells Vinny he was the one who scouted him and he is quite thrilled at the news. Even if his professional football career didn’t work out, he was scouted by Mal Bradley who wrote nice things about him in his little book.
The Beautiful Game’s ending catches up with Vinny the following year, where we see him helping train the new team set to represent England at the Homeless World Cup. He mentions how the chance Mal gave him earned him a medal, and, more importantly, taught him the importance of teamwork.
More on The Beautiful Game:
