adminDOHA. – Brazil laughed, danced and sashayed their way into the World Cup quarter-finals here on Monday night, with a first-half performance as joyous as it was devastating to behold.
If what then followed was something of an anti-climax it was only because, leading 4-0 at half-time, Brazil could afford to play the remainder of the match as a warm-down session.
While the nations on England’s side of the draw are fixated on France, and the lightning speed of Kylian Mbappe, here was the reminder that whatever fate has in store for Gareth Southgate and his players on Saturday, it would not get any easier, even in victory.
At some stage there must be a reckoning with Brazil for any team that wants to win here.
And what a Brazil!
Holy moly, what a team this is.
Fast, quick-witted, front foot footballers, they destroyed a hard-working South Korean team who were four behind in 36 minutes, unable to contain what confronted them or believe what they had seen.
Four goals, four goal scorers, and each breach of the Korean defences celebrated with a rondo by the corner flag, the whole team joining in. moving to the rhythm they collectively hear, and probably while the game is still unfolding.
Brazil danced to their own tune here, as they do on nights like this.
There truly is no group like them, no squad that considers the ecstasy that radiates from their play almost a national characteristic.
This was, in essence, one of the greatest World Cup knockout round performances in recent memory.
And it was done in one half.
The best Brazilian teams are often spiritual, too, and this one is strongly inspired by the sad news of Pele’s failing health, despite his family trying to cheer with positive bulletins and rebuttals of the suggestion he is in the final weeks, or months, of his life.
At the end, Neymar reappeared on the pitch with a banner in support of the great man.
A true World Cup hero, not least to those in Tite’s ranks that wish to join him.
The brutal reality is that South Korea are not a bad team, but were made to look like one.
And bad teams can scrap and run and make it awkward for even the brightest opposition.
Not on Monday night, they simply couldn’t.
South Korea were a goal down after seven minutes, two behind after 12 and, from there, were merely engaged in a game of desperate damage limitation.
They will have been relieved to have kept it to four because, if Brazil had needed ten, on this form they would have got them.
That would be the only criticism – that they were wasteful in front of goal.
Four could have been six and maybe eight.
Richarlison could have scored a second, Lucas Paqueta, too.
Yet that is what happens when it becomes so easy, so quickly.
Brazil were allowed to freewheel their way through so much of this match that it all become rather too casual.
Heaven knows what would have happened had they taken it seriously for the full 90 minutes.
Of course, they scored from the first attack of the match, which helps.
Raphina absolutely ripped past Hwang In-beom on the right, over hit a pass intended for Neymar but saw it fall to Vinicius Junior in space to the left of the penalty area.
He scored, and so did Neymar, from a penalty, Richarlison and Paqueta. – Mailonline.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter