These weren’t the streets of Doha, however we had been miraculously transported into the bowels of trance-like Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, in line with the veteran Thiago Silva, “performed the very best soccer I’ve seen Brazil play” and put this contest past Korea Republic’s attain within the first 45 minutes.
The followers of the Selecao already had an inkling of the feast and had come dressed of their greatest – the rainforest armadillo, males with vibrant mane and ladies in vibrant ensembles and even a yellow dinosaur from the Mesozoic Age. There have been three stumbling merrymakers too, a sight not seen in Qatar earlier than.
The targets have been coming in a bounty, and no one may have stopped this Brazilian bash. The unlucky Koreans have been simply on the incorrect place on the incorrect time.
The primary aim was Raphinha’s creation when he stripped the opposition of the ball close to the best touchline and ignored a shove earlier than centring it inside. A bunch of Brazilian our bodies missed his supply, however Vinicius Junior was there, comparatively unmarked, and he cheekily lifted it over the goalkeeper, who rushed out in useless to distract the Actual Madrid attacker.
Vinicius Junior of Brazil scored the facet’s first aim in opposition to South Korea
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photos
And when Richarlison was hacked, Neymar jogged, stopped and hopped to roll within the subsequent as Kim Seung-gyu dived the opposite manner. The evening for the Korea Republic was already wanting lengthy with the Brazilian assault created each geometrical angle you may ever consider.
And when the Koreans made a uncommon foray, as Hwang Hee-chan did within the seventeenth minute with a 30-yard roller, Alisson Becker was there, flying throughout to tip all the things over. Brazil was now evoking the recollections of Jogo bonito of the previous and you may hear the nostalgic “oohhs” and “aahhs” of disbelief because the Koreans have been taught a couple of recreation of feints, flicks and dribbles. This soccer can’t be schooled however comes along with your genes that’s solely accessible to these from the land of the shape-shifting Amazon.
Brazil’s goalkeeper Alisson
| Picture Credit score: AP
Brazil was taking part in by itself – the 11 on the opposite facet have been simply mannequins to dodge previous through the Christmas buying rush – and Richarlison juggled the ball like in a recreation of head tennis and ambled into the six-yard field. He side-footed the third as Casemiro’s return evaded others to succeed in his inviting ft.
Brazil’s Richarlison celebrates scoring their third aim with coach Tite and teammates
| Picture Credit score: REUTERS
The Brazilians have been dancing (even coach Tite), and this was not simply the whirling of your hips, however a ballet the place each sense jigged. A Lucas Paqueta volley from a Vinicius cross accomplished the first-half rout because the Korean pocket behind its aim tried laborious to boost the falling spirits of its staff.
However Son Heung-min was quickly testing Alisson as Korea got here again with a bit extra function. And the debonair ‘keeper was once more making a save from Hwang Hee-chan, who had aimed for the underside left. The Korean band with their drums lastly had one thing to play for as Paik Seung-ho rocketed his long-ranger previous Alisson, who had been as good as his outfield companions.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min
| Picture Credit score: AP
Korea on this completely different half had the probabilities to stretch this recreation but it surely lacked the ruthlessness of Brazil.
On this Monday, the Brazil staff despatched a message of affection and assist to the ailing King, Pele, and we’re not simply referring to the banner that was unfurled in the long run.
