Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos – the quartet part of Brazil’s last World Cup triumph in 2002 – could not stop grinning from ear to ear as they sat together in the hospitality lounge of Stadium 974 yesterday.
They had just witnessed their countrymen break into another samba routine after going 4-0 up inside 36 minutes of their World Cup last 16 match against a hapless South Korea.
Twenty years without a world title is a long time for a football superpower like Brazil and if last night’s performance against South Korea is an indication of things to come, then the five-time champions are in line to add a sixth title on December 18.
Stadium 974, a 40,000-seater marvel partially built from recycled shipping containers and modular steel, may have hosted its last match before it is ripped apart and shipped to countries that need the infrastructure. And the Brazilian’s made sure it was a night to remember for those at the venue with a masterclass display in possession and passing that dismantled the South Koreans at half-time.
“We’re dreaming of the title, of course. Today was the fourth game, there are three left. We’re very focused on getting that title,” Brazilian talisman Neymar said.
The 4-1 rout after goals from Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta – set up Brazil a quarter-final clash against Croatia, who had earlier sent home another Asian side Japan.
“Let’s hope we can carry on dancing all the way to the final. And we are also sending a big hug to Pele. Let’s hope he recovers quickly,” Vinicius said.
If Brazil win that on Friday and Argentina beat the Netherlands the same night, then the two South American giants will meet each other in a mouth-watering semi-final.
Last night, though, Brazil sent a warning that it will be difficult for any side to stop them with a breathtaking display of attacking football. Smarting from their stoppage time defeat to Cameroon in their last group stage match, coach Tite brought back his regulars – making 10 changes.
His attacking lynchpin Neymar recovered from the ankle injury picked up against Serbia in their opening match, so did Danilo with right back Eder Militao the only player who started the Cameroon game to keep his place.
And within no time Brazil were all over South Korea, who had qualified to the knockouts after a remarkable win over Portugal in their last match. The last time these two sides met in a friendly, Brazil had romped to a 5-1 victory.
South Koreans knew what they were up against, yet were completely unprepared for it as Brazil took the lead in the seventh minute.
Raphinha’s cross into the box evaded everyone including a lunging Neymar before Vinicius Junior met the ball to his left, took a touch and slammed it coolly past goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and four defenders.
Six minutes later Neymar added Brazil’s second and his 76th goal, leaving him just one behind the legendary Pele’s all-time record. The star forward converted the penalty after Richarlison had been fouled.
South Korea, rattled by then, went for the leather when Hwang Hee-chan thumped a strike from 30 yards but it was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson. But there was no stopping South American’s scoring from the other end with the third goal arriving in a beautiful fashion.
Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison, who has been criticised from showboating in the Premier League – controlled the ball with his head and then juggled into his feet before passing onto Marquinhos and racing into the box. Marquinhos by then had slid the ball to captain Thiago Silva, who laid into Richarlison as the latter slid it past Seung-gyu.
The stunning piece of art lifted the whole stadium, with even coach Tite joining Richarlison for a dance on the sidelines. Paqueta then made it 4-0 after sliding the ball into the net after a Vinicius Jr pass into the box. Brazil could have had three more before the break with Richarlison, Neymar and Raphinha all wasting opportunities. The game was over by then.
After the break, South Korea bagged a consolation goal through Paik Seung-ho in the 76th minute but Brazil by then already had one eye in the quarter-finals with Tite replacing his star players.