Brazil players pose for photo behind a large banner of Pele after their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 win over South Korea at the Stadium 974 in Doha on December 5, 2022. Photo: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
Neymar scored on return as Brazil produced a sublime performance to crush South Korea 4-1 and storm into the quarter-finals of the World Cup at Stadium 974 yesterday.
The Selecao returning to full strength after Tite’s second-string side suffered a shock defeat to Cameroon in their last group match on Friday took the game away from South Koreans in the first half by smashing four goals with the Asian side scoring a consolation goal in the second half.
The five-time winners will face Croatia - who defeated Japan in the last-16 on penalties - in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“We’re dreaming of the title, of course,” Neymar said after the emphatic victory.
“Today was the fourth game, there are three left. We’re very focused on getting that title.”
Motivated by a message from legendary Pele and boosted with the return of Neymar and Danilo from injuries, Brazil were unstoppable as Paulo Bento’s Taegeuk Warriors looked helpless against the World Cup favourites.
“In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father,” hospitalised Pele, who is battling cancer wrote on Twitter before the match.
“I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup. I’ll be watching the game from hospital and I’ll be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!”
Pele must be jubilant how Brazil started with Vinicius Junior opening the scoring early curling the ball past five South Koreans after a ball from Raphinha down the right wing in the seventh minute.
It took Brazil only six more minutes to score their second goal after Richarlison - kicked by a South Korean defender – won a spot-kick. Neymar took the shot and he made it look easy beating South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu slotting into the bottom corner with a slow hit.
The 30-year-old with his 76th goal for Brazil is now just one goal behind Pele’s all-time record.
Meanwhile, it was Richarlison’s goal in 29th minute that Brazil players celebrated the most as they mobbed their coach in the technical area with all dancing to the same beat in front of their euphoric fans, knowing their quarter-final berth is sealed.
Richarlison initiated the move and got the ball back from Thiago Silva to score Brazil’s third goal, leaving the South Korean fans dejected.
Lucas Paquetá then extended the lead seven minutes later after receiving a loop from Vinicius inside the box.
Raphinha had a chance to score one more goal but he hit straight at the goalkeeper from close range just before half-time.
South Korea created their only close chance in the first half after 17 minutes when Hwang Hee-chan struck from 25 yards but Alisson made an acrobatic save to palm the ball away. Captain Son Heung-min tried to break in early in the match but was stopped by a solid Brazilian defence.
South Korea, however, managed to score 14 minutes before time when substitute Paik Seung-ho fired a stunning long range shot, aided by a slight deflection.
Brazil could have scored more goals as they spurned several good opportunities before the final whistle.
The Brazilian players unfurled a banner of Pele before dancing to celebrate their memorable victory.
With Australia and Japan making exit early in the last 16 stage, South Korea’s defeat brought an end to Asia’s campaign in the World Cup.
