Brazil 4-1 South Korea: Brazilian party in Stadium 974
World Cup favourites Brazil made light work of South Korea as they cruised to a 4-1 victory at Stadium 974 in the last 16 of the tournament.
It was a first-half party for Seleção Canarinho, netting four times in the opening 45 minutes. South Korea managed to claw a consolation goal late on, but for Neymar and company, the result was never in doubt.
Brazil opened the scoring in under seven minutes. Raphinia found the space on the wing, before playing in a cross that squeezed its way through to Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid man took a touch, before expertly placing the ball in the top corner.
Brazil doubled their advantage from the penalty spot less than six minutes later. Neymar coolly passing the ball past a helpless Seung-Gyu Kim after Woo-Young Jung brought down Richarlison in the box.
South Korea came close to pulling a goal back minutes later. Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan unleashed a vicious shot from long range that, but for a superb stop from Alisson Becker, would have nestled in the top corner.
The game was starting to feel like something of a party, and Brazil were certainly the life of it. Richarlison juggled the ball on his head, before beating his man and finding Marquinhos. The defender laid the ball off to Thiago Silva, who played a one-touch pass back through the South Korea defence to Richarlison who slotted the ball home to make it 3-0 inside 30 minutes.
The Tottenham striker even managed to rope Brazil coach Tite into the dancing celebrations.
It didn’t get any easier for South Korea, Lucas Paquetá volleyed in Brazil’s fourth inside the first half after Vincius played a sumptuous scooped cross to find the West Ham midfielder.
For the fourth time, the corner flag became a dance floor for Brazil’s superstar attack.
Questions will be raised over the decisions of South Korea manager Paulo Bento, who’s attacking line-up resulted in Brazil outnumbering the Korea defence far too often.
Brazil could have had five before half time. Paquetá’s close range strike was well saved by Seung-Gyu Kim. Moments later Vinicius’ cross whistled past the onrushing Raphinia who would have had a tap in.
That wasn’t it for the first-half action. South Korea’s defence was all over the place again, as Richarlison charged into empty space from the half-way line all the way to the box only to see his shot saved.
South Korea had an early chance to reduce the deficit in the second half. Son Heung-min broke free of the Brazil defence, but saw his one on one shot saved by the shoulder of Alisson.
Brazil’s free flowing attack showed no signs of slowing down. Twisting and turning, Raphinia found space in the box before firing a low shot that was tipped wide by Seung-Gyu Kim.
Raphinia was finding a lot of joy on the right hand side in the second half, and once again saw another shot saved by South Korea’s keeper.
South Korea were creating chances going forward, and could have had a few goals of their own but for the fantastic Alisson. This time, Hwang Hee-chan’s vicious strike from inside the area was denied by an outstretched arm.
Their persistence going forward did eventually pay off. Paik Seung-ho firing a long range strike that deflected off Thiago Silva and this time flew past the Brazilian keeper.
Tite felt the game was won in the 80th minute, and decided to bring on Brazil’s third choice goalkeeper Weverton. The substitution means every Brazilian player in the 26 man squad has been involved on the pitch.
Substitute Dani Alves almost pulled off an impressive bicycle kick to extend Brazil’s lead in the dying minutes. The defender is the third oldest outfield player ever to appear at the World Cup.
In the quarter finals, Brazil will face a Croatian side who needed a penalty shootout to beat Japan earlier today.
