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It was the celebrations that gave away the game.
Knockout games are meant to be tense affairs. Even if he scores early, it’s upside down, without complacency.
Not in regards to Brazil. They turned this into a party in seven minutes. A party like the one in 1982. Or the one in 1986. Or, perhaps more auspicious, a party like the one in 1970.
The personification of that faction, Pelé, is in the hospital seriously ill and they carried a banner with his name at the end. Last night at Stadium 974 they looked worthy heirs of their team.
Brazil highlighted their status as tournament favorites with a resounding victory over South Korea
Neymar doubled Brazil’s tally after 13 minutes with a penalty after fouling Richarlison
Brazil celebrated each of their four goals with vintage dance routines in true Brazilian style.
And they played and celebrated as if they knew. Neymar was back, we feared his ankle injury would keep him out of the rest of the World Cup, but he wasn’t even the third best attacking player in Brazil.
However, he was still the center of attention. So when Brazil opened the scoring, in the seventh minute, with Raphinha breaking through on the left, all four of Korea’s defenders headed in to mark it. Which left them with a bit of a problem when he let Vinicius Junior run. Naturally, his teammate scored. And they proceeded to unite Raphinha and Lucas Paquetá and, of course, Neymar to perform a samba dance routine. Let’s just say they already seemed pretty relaxed for the remaining 83 minutes.
When Neymar scored the penalty they were awarded in the 12th minute there were more. Quite a dance routine this time, with Neymar in the middle and the rest of the team forming a circle around him, a routine so elaborate it seemed like it required a technical breakdown and a mark of Craig Revel Horwood.
Too bad South Korea. They had 78 more minutes of this and fair play to Wolves’ Hwang Heechan, forcing Alison to make a fine save soon after.
The return of their talisman helped Brazil put together the most impressive half of the World Cup.
Vinicius Jr. had opened the scoring for the Selecao with a calm and serene shot
Richarlison also scored as Brazil put on a supreme display of soccer in the first half.
Lucas Paquetá added a fourth in the 36th minute when he finished off a skilful play by the team.
Even Brazil coach Tite got involved after his third goal when he joined in the celebrations.
Still, when Richarlison scored what is sure to be the goal of the tournament on 29 minutes, having juggled the ball over his head, before bringing it down, releasing it and connecting with Thiago Silva’s pass to score, just the dance it was not enough.
Having performed the routine once with the first team, he made his way to the dugout and Coach Tite and the dance began again. What about the time Neymar hit the ref and then beat two Korean players for good measure? We were in Harlem Globetrotters territory when Lucas Paquetá made it 4-0. It really was like watching one of those ‘Best Teams in Brazil’ highlights on videotape.
It wasn’t that Brazil didn’t take it seriously. They were much better than their opponents, they lacked tension.
Neymar returned to Brazil’s starting lineup just 11 days after losing to Serbia
Brazil fans were jubilant after securing their place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup
Neymar is second in Brazil’s all-time goalscoring record, just one behind the legendary Pelé.
As such, there is hope for the rest of the world. Not so much on Korea’s performance in the second half, which was hugely creditable, especially Paik Seungho’s excellent goal, given the gutting of the first half. By then Brazil was driving minutes to the point of giving entry to its third goalkeeper.
Brazil looks great. It’s hard to judge. Not so when they played against Switzerland, a well organized, physical and talented European team.
The group stages made this World Cup feel like the global game was closing the game on the traditional powers. The round of 16 had exploited that idea with the Netherlands, France, England and now Brazil pacing their games with Argentina quite comfortably.
You can imagine that Brazil will have too much for Croatia, but how will they react when challenged in the seismic South American showdown with Argentina that appears to be the semi-final? Then, on the other side of the draw, unless Morocco can turn the tide, the best team in Europe awaits them in the final. Only then will you know for sure. At the moment, they look inch by inch one of the great teams.
Brazil players carried a banner onto the pitch in support of Pele, who is hospitalized