Has the absolute top favorite risen? Brazil made a big impression with an all-around performance against South Korea. The Golden Canaries certainly danced past the opposition in the first half with some amazing goals. Vinicius, Richarlison, Paqueta and the reborn Neymar provided the Brazilian goals.
Brazil – South Korea in a nutshell:
- Key moment: After fifteen minutes and with a 2-0 deficit, South Korea can still cherish some (vain) hope of a return, fifteen minutes later it is already finished. Richarlison starts a wonderful attack with a circus number and makes it 3-0 after a wonderful assist from Thiago Silva.
- Man of the match: The stars could not be counted on one hand at Brazil, with four different goalscorers. Even Alisson played his part with some great saves. Richarlison stood out just a bit above it, because he signed for the best attack / goal of the evening. He has already scored 3 goals at this World Cup.
- Statistics: Neymar scored his 76th goal in the Brazilian shirt tonight and is one goal behind Pelé, the all-time top scorer at the Seleção. Neymar is also only the third player to score at 3 World Cups for Brazil, Pele and Ronaldo preceded him.
- Remarkable: With the exception of the third goalkeeper, every player in the Brazilian squad had received playing minutes in the group stage. Weverton also got his chance tonight and the entire Brazilian selection has already come into action at this World Cup. Brazil is thus the first country to field 26 players in a World Cup.
Brazil outclasses South Korea in samaba football
A true demonstration with genuine samba football. At half-time, the Divine Canaries already had their ticket for the quarter-finals in their pocket. The Brazilian supporters made it a party in the stands from the kick-off and the Seleção soon followed suit on the pitch.
After barely six minutes, Raphinha kicked off the goal festival. Neymar could not decide on his low cross, Vinicius did with a nice wide shot. Even before the opening quarter was over, it was already 2-0. Jung Woo-Young kicked Richarlison unluckily in the box and Neymar made his first of this World Cup from the penalty spot.
South Korea did not want to be led to the slaughter just like that. Hwang Hee-Chan countered with a nice long shot, Alisson was just able to push the ball over the crossbar. On the half hour, Brazil once again showed its class with an attack to lick thumbs and fingers. Thiago Silva gave the last touch with a stunning through pass, Richarlison rounded it off flawlessly.
Hwang Hee-chan remained the only South Korean who could hurt the Brazilians. He put Militao in the wind, but then aimed straight at Alisson from a sharp angle. It was no more than a technical glitch in the Brazilian show. A few minutes later, Vinicius lifted the ball beautifully to Paqueta, who scored the 4-0 in one time.
Even before the break, there were egg after forfeit figures on the scoreboard. Paqueta came close to his second, but Kim Seung-Gyu got in the way. Richarlison also got an open boulevard on his way to the 5-0, again the South Korean goalkeeper put a stop to it.
Paik Seung-Ho saves South Korean honour
South Korea started with a 4-0 deficit, but without a lead in the second half. Son Heung-Min trumped Marquinhos and immediately came close to the honor saver, but Alisson was able to deflect his shot just wide. Brazil, in turn, continued to look for a fifth goal. Raphinha turned Hong Chul crazy in the box, but Kim Seung-Gyu parried his shot.
A few minutes later, Raphinha repeated his trick. Again he easily put Hong Chul in the wind, again Kim Seung-Gyu prevented more damage for the South Koreans. They continued to hunt for a goal in vain. Alisson again proved unbeatable on a shot by Hwang Hee-Chan, Marquinhos got in the way of Son Heung-Min’s rebound.
Fifteen minutes before the end, the honor-saving goal was scored for South Korea. The ball was headed away from a free kick by Lee Kang-In and fell at the feet of Paik Seung-Ho. The substitute scorched and his slightly deviated level left Alisson without a chance. Wonderful goal, although it was no more than a cloth for the bleeding.
The Brazilian luxury was so great that national coach Tite still gave playing minutes to third goalkeeper Weverton, the only Brazilian who had not yet taken action at this World Cup. Senior Dani Alves was also allowed to participate. He almost scored a fifth Brazilian goal with a spectacular volley.
Check out the other goals:
Dani Alves is actually close to a goal
Bizarre! Alisson is substituted fifteen minutes before the end
Still a great South Korean streak: 4-1
