DOHA, Qatar — Brazil regarded each bit just like the match favourite as they danced and superior to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over South Korea at 974 Stadium, knocking the final staff from Asia out of the World Cup.
If there was any thought that South Korea might grasp with Brazil, these ideas light nearly instantly. Vinicius Junior acquired Brazil on the scoreboard simply seven minutes into the sport
When Neymar, coming back from harm, scored a penalty six minutes later, it was lights out. Each Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta additionally scored first-half objectives as Brazil returned to kind.
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Fast response
1. Neymar and Danilo return to gas Brazil
The shadow forged over Brazil by Neymar‘s ankle harm loomed massive over the previous week. To lose him and Danilo within the opening sport did not essentially determine to affect the staff’s possibilities to advance early within the match, nevertheless it might have posed some longer-term issues for the knockout stage. When Neymar acquired the go-ahead Sunday, the dialog shifted to: “We’ll see how match he appears to be like.”
The decision is in: He is again. All the best way again.
For 80 minutes, Neymar moved across the discipline with out a signal of a participant with an harm concern. And within the first half, earlier than Brazil took its foot off the gasoline, Neymar’s presence commanded South Korea‘s consideration greater than anybody else.
The house Neymar created for the remainder of Brazil’s embarrassment of attacking riches made for some of the thrilling attacking shows this World Cup has seen. That, mixed with Danilo’s return, bodes effectively for Brazil, notably after Danilo’s efforts contributed to unbalancing South Korea within the midfield, which made them so susceptible repeatedly.
Brazil’s 4-0 halftime lead is tied for the second largest on the break ever in a World Cup (the one bigger margin was Germany‘s 5-0 lead towards Brazil in 2014).
2. Extra dancing than defending
Early throughout the match, Brazil ahead Raphina let it slip that the Selecao had ready 10 dances to rejoice objectives with. Positive, perhaps it was just a little conceited, nevertheless it illustrated the mindset of the place this staff was.
They got here to attain — rating rather a lot — and have enjoyable doing it. However after a gaggle stage that noticed the Brazilians discover the again of the web simply 3 times, the necessity for extra choreography in Qatar did not appear seemingly.
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Then got here the onslaught. With each beautifully-taken objective towards South Korea, a brand new dance adopted. Even Tite, the 61-year-old coach, acquired in on the motion. With the end result decided, the sport became a celebration. A carnival within the desert, if you’ll.
Brazil did not simply placed on an absurd present of talent and technical capacity, it reminded the world that they play a sport. And even on sports activities’ largest stage, video games are supposed to be enjoyable.
3. Exit does not diminish profitable World Cup for South Korea
In a gaggle with Portugal, Uruguay and Ghana, it was attainable that South Korea might have performed to their potential in Qatar and nonetheless not reached the knockout rounds. That they acquired out of the group, leaving Uruguay behind the within the course of, assured this to be remembered as a profitable match.
Possibly after seeing some stunning upsets within the group phases, there was false hope that the identical was attainable towards Brazil, however the gulf in expertise was obvious simply minutes into the sport.
There is not a single participant on the South Korean roster that will crack Brazil’s beginning XI — sure, together with Son Heung-min — and when that is the case, there is no have to be important about such a lopsided defeat.
For Son, the World Cup might have gone higher. He is one in every of finest attacking gamers on this planet, so for him to not rating in any of the staff’s 4 video games is disappointing. Nonetheless, this was solely the third time South Korea reached this stage of the match they usually have taken half in each World Cup since 1986.
Participant rankings
Brazil: Alisson 7, Danilo 7, Thiago Silva 7, Marquinhos 7, Casemiro 7, Lucas Paqueta 8, Richarlison 8, Neymar 8, Raphinha 8, Eder Militao 7, Vinicius Junior 8
Subs: Bremer 6, Dani Alves 6, Rodrygo 6, Bariel Martinelli 6, Weverton n/a
South Korea: Kim Seunggyu 5, Kim Jinsu 5, Kim Minjae 5, Jung Wooyoung 5, Hwang Ibbeom 5, Son Heung-min 6, Cho Guesung 6, Lee Jaesung 5, Hwang Heechan 5, Kim Moonhwan 6, Kim Younggwon 6
Subs: Hong Chul 5, Paik Seung-Ho 5, Son Jun-Ho 5, Lee Kang-In 5, Hwang Ui-Jo 5
Finest and worst performers
BEST: Richarlison, Brazil
There’s an unwritten rule right here that if a objective comes on the finish of an intricate passing sequence initiated the three consecutive headed juggles by the objective scorer, that participant will get acknowledged on this house. It was greater than second of magic from Richarlison, he was on the coronary heart of Brazil at assault because it took management.
WORST: Kim Jin-Su, South Korea
Kim Jin-Su had a tough night time at left again, which was going to be a tricky task for somebody used to defending within the Ok-League.
Highlights and notable moments
The highlights from this match are plentiful — so long as you’re a Brazil fan.
It took solely about six minutes for Brazil to begin the get together as South Korea’s protection was knocked off kilter. Vinicius Junior calmly picked out his spot and fired previous goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu.
It took simply 7 minutes for Brazil to take the lead ⚡️
Vinícius Júnior provides Brazil the lead 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/KPngbHAP5T
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 5, 2022
Extra objectives adopted, with Neymar scoring a penalty within the thirteenth minute and Richarlison within the twenty ninth.
By that time, it turned fairly clear that South Korea weren’t going to have the ability to cease this get together and Brazil’s supervisor, Tite, even joined in on the dancing celebrations.
Tite joins in on the enjoyable 😂🇧🇷🕺 pic.twitter.com/JXnAe8JHnG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 5, 2022
After the match: What the gamers and managers mentioned
Neymar on coming back from harm: “I’m very joyful to be again within the discipline of play, joyful to have performed effectively and now being referred to as the Man of the Match is tough as everybody performed very effectively. We’re pleased with our efficiency. We wished to maneuver to the subsequent spherical, win and that is what we acquired.”
Neymar on how he feels after his harm: “Ache? No, I did really feel any ache on my ankle — I feel my efficiency was good. I’m very content material with my efficiency. That mentioned, I can all the time enhance, I can’t be 100% glad with the efficiency right this moment — we have to develop as our staff and I feel the prize is just not for me, however for everybody. I’m very pleased with the efficiency of my teammates.”
Neymar on the assist he is acquired: “I solely have phrases of thanks for all of the love they despatched my means. Once I acquired injured I spent a tough night time, I used to be considering of one million various things. I used to be afraid of not having the ability to play within the World Cup once more. I’ve the assist of my household, colleagues and I regarded for power the place I couldn’t discover it. Once I was studying the messages of encouragement, it was good for me. So thanks for many who despatched me messages for the reason that first minute I acquired injured.”
Key stats (offered by ESPN Stats & Data)
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Together with his objective towards South Korea, Neymar joins Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xherdan Shaqiri and Ivan Perisic as the one gamers to attain in every of the final three FIFA World Cups.
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Neymar’s final six nationwide staff objectives have been penalties. Neymar has transformed his final 13 penalty kicks for Brazil (shootouts not included).
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Neymar has turn out to be the third Brazilian participant to attain in three completely different editions of the World Cup, alongside Ronaldo and Pelé.
Up subsequent
Brazil: With their win, Brazil transfer onto the quarterfinals the place they are going to face Croatia on Dec. 9.
South Korea: The South Koreans are out of the World Cup.
