The Brazilian samba finally invaded the Qatari desert on Monday. Nobody knows how to have fun better than the canarinha, pure happiness, pure joy on the green. Between containers, under the protection of the 974 stadium in his last game before being dismantled –what a farewell to the World Cup for him–, the best version of the five-time world champion burst in. His players can be blamed for dancing, for the unnecessary huddles after each goal, but at the end of the speech it is impossible not to surrender to the magnitude of Brazil, capable of overwhelming the always competitive Republic of Korea with four goals in the first 36 minutes of play to seal his passport to the quarterfinals, where Croatia was already waiting for him.
After a profitable but inconspicuous first group stage, with the defeat against Cameroon already placed in the bottom drawer of the dresser, where no one will take it from, an imposing Brazil emerged at the right time, when mistakes are no longer allowed, and cemented his favoritism in this World Cup. He signed a win with the figure of Pelé in everyone's mind, as if trying to give O'Rei one last push to get him up again.
The most dangerous thing about the canarinha is that it does not need great game demonstrations to impose its law. On the contrary, she grabs a mallet with her hand and when she sees the opportunity, she hits a good blow at whoever dares to get ahead with astonishing ease. He is a giant without control.
Now with Neymar back in the eleventh, somewhat weighed down by his ankle problems but as brilliant as ever, Brazil knocked down Korea with terrifying ease, revealing his entire arsenal, which had remained somewhat concealed until now. Tite's team is formidable, infected even a man with a countenance as serious as him before the waterfall of goals, jumping with his players after the third goal.
It didn't take long for the duel to turn yellow, a soft appetizer of what would come next. After a great individual maneuver, Raphinha put the ball to the far post where Vinícius appeared. The Real Madrid player showed that he is becoming a more mature player and, far from getting nervous, he controlled and took a few seconds to finish off, as if he were playing on his opponent's nerves, before lodging the ball into the net. Korea, qualified for the round of 16 with a goal in added time against Portugal, began to accept their simple presence among the best because they did not even have time to get up after the goal. Jung committed a penalty that was as dubious as it was unnecessary against Richarlison and Neymar, with a show included, did not fail, adding his 76th goal with Brazil, one of Pelé's record, whose figure floated in the environment of 974..
The only (and timid) Korean reaction came from the boots of HC Hwang, the hero against Portugal, with a couple of long shots that put Alisson's reflexes to the test. But the dj had designed a samba night and got away with it. The third goal was a work of art, reaching the pinnacle of Brazilian potential. A triple control by Richarlison led to a wall in front of the two center-backs, Marquinhos and Thiago Silva, who left the ball back at the feet of the Tottenham striker to raise the third on the scoreboard almost at will. The yellow party in 974 was one of those that make time. But the show did not stop and before the break Paquetá signed the fourth after a great assist from Vinícius.
With the classification achieved, Brazil took its foot off the accelerator, aware that it is convenient to reserve strength for the last two weeks of the World Cup. Alisson shone in the second half against the Korean attempts to sign the honor. Paik, ex of La Masia, got it to allow himself to pack his bags with a half smile. Brazil will continue with a full closet for a few more days.
4 - Brazil: Alisson (Weverton, m.80); Militao (Alves, m.63), Marquinhos, Silva, Danilo (Bremer, m.72); Casemiro, Paqueta; Neymar (Rodrygo, m.81), Raphinha, Richarlison and Vinícius (Martinelli, m.72).
1 - South Korea: Seung-gyu Kim; Moon-hwan Kim, Min-jae, Young-gwon Kim, Jin-su Kim (Hong Chul, m.46); Lee Jae-Sung (Kang-in Lee, 74 m), In-Beom Hwang (Paik Seung-Ho, 65 m), Woo-young Jung (Son Jun-Ho, 46 m); Hee-chan; Son and Gue-sung Cho (Hwand Ui-Jo, m.80).
Goals: 1-0. m.7: Vinicius. 2-0, m.13: Neymar, from the penalty spot. 3-0, m.29: Richarlison. 4-0, m.36: Paquetá. 4-1, m.76: Paik.
Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA). He admonished Jung (m.44) by South Korea.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup played at the 974 Stadium in Doha before 43,847 spectators.
