Brazil’s spectacular performance against South Korea earned them a place in the Qatar 2022 quarterfinals against Croatia. Vinicius Junior, Neymar Junior, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta scored in the first half. Korea made a valiant effort to minimize the damage by collaborating tirelessly. Paik Seung-ho scored a late consolation goal for South Korea.

Tite opted to put Neymar and Danilo back into the starting lineup for Brazil’s 6th World Cup title quest. That is after Neymar missed the final 2 group matches with an ankle injury sustained against Serbia. 

After their win, Brazil’s players carried a banner with Pele’s name onto the field to show their support for the 82-year-old football legend, currently hospitalized in Sao Paulo. Undoubtedly, the great man was pleased with what he saw. Here come the Brazilians.

Pele, hospitalized on the dawn of the match, said he hoped to “inspire” those who would wear the renowned yellow jersey after him. The first half was a dazzling display of style and skill, and the players could not have done a better job of paying tribute to Tite.

Brazil’s Performance Against South Korea Confirms Their Status as Favorites

The crowd-pleasing performance by the World Cup favorites Brazil did not disappoint. They struck fear in the hearts of potential rivals with a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the round of 16. All four goals came in the first half.

The first 45 minutes of this match were more like a Brazilian exhibition than a World Cup knockout game. They set up a first-half show of individual and team brilliance that should make the other favorites in Qatar rattle. 

It was clear that the five-time champions would easily defeat South Korea. It wasn’t just the 4-1 score that should worry Croatia, the team they’ll face in the quarterfinals on Friday, or any of their other opponents; it was how they won.

The fact that their center-backs, Marquinhos & Thiago Silva, liaised to set up Richarlison’s fantastic third goal speaks volumes about the perplexing degree of technical prowess in this Brazil team. 

Richarlison scored the best of the four goals by juggling the ball above his head before thumping it in the back of the net. Tottenham’s forward, who scored a spectacular overhead kick versus Serbia, is on a one-person mission to win the tournament.

Still, the other ones gave plenty of entertainment value as well. The opening goal was set up by Raphinha fouling his man to give Vinicius Junior a chance to take control of the ball and twist it around 4 South Korean opponents on the goal line. 

The Real Madrid player switched roles and set up the team’s fourth goal by sending in a perfectly weighted lofted cross that Lucas Paqueta could run into the net without slowing down.

Neymar scored a second goal from the penalty spot five minutes later. Neymar had a chance to make it 2-0 when South Korean defender Jung Woo-Young was called for a foul against Richarlison inside the penalty area shortly after the first goal. The PSG star scored a penalty kick that sent goalie Kim Seung-Gyu amiss and made it 2-0 in the first 15 minutes.

Not long after the resumption of play, Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur was denied by a fantastic save from Alisson, and Raphinha, looking to tally on Brazil’s lead, was denied twice.

South Korea’s World Cup run ended against the tournament favorite, Brazil. They kept them scoreless in the 2nd half, and Paik Seung-Ho scored a spectacular late consolation goal. 

Tite Urges Dancing the “Language” of Young Brazilian Stars

Richarlison rushed to the sideline to point at his coach after Brazil went up 3-0 thanks to his spectacular team goal. The dancing followed, adding more memorable moments in between. Their manager had a moment of showboating prowess on the sidelines that caused the crowd to gasp. The group formed a circle and danced together, with Brazil’s breakthrough striker putting his arm all-around coach. 

However, the Brazil manager was also keenly mindful of the potential that his dancing might be misinterpreted. He clarified that he was expressing his happiness and respect for South Korea’s manager Paulo Bento, who he knows as the coach of Brazilian side Cruzeiro in 2016. 

Another reason for Brazil’s team to celebrate is the comeback of Neymar Jr. Neymar had been sidelined since the team’s first group game against Serbia due to an ankle injury.