FIFAWC 2022: Ruthless Brazil trounce South Korea to reach last eight
Neymar scores on return from injury, nears Pele record
Brazil sent out a statement to the rest of the teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a resounding 4-1 win over South Korea. The Seleçao put on an attacking show to dispatch the South Koreans with ease.
Following their shock defeat to Cameroon in their final group match, Brazil needed to send out a statement to show that the loss was a small blip. Their opponents were a South Korea side that defeated Portugal to reach the last 16.
From the first whistle, the gulf in class was clear as the Brazilian players ran the show easily. They took the lead within seven minutes through Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. The youngster received cross from Raphinha at the back post before steadying himself and shooting through a crowd of bodies in front of the Korean goal.
Brazil doubled their advantage after 13 minutes through Neymar. The PSG star scored his first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot on his return from an ankle injury that he suffered in the opener against Serbia.
Richarlison added a third for Seleçao in the 29th minute as they looked rampant. The brilliant team goal was started by Richarlison with his impressive dribbling. The Tottenham man passed the ball to Marquinhos, who played a pass to defensive partner Thiago Silva. Silva then played a first-time pass into space for Richarlison to slot the ball past the goalkeeper for his third goal of the competition.
Brazil were not done scoring past the hapless Korean defence, and Lucas Paqueta added his name to the scoresheet in the 36th minute. The West Ham man was on hand to score from close range after a cross across the face of goal from Vinicius Junior.
Seleçao took their foot of the pedal in the second half as the job was already done, but South Korea pulled one back in style.
Substitute Paik Seung-Ho fired home a rocket from outside the box after a free-kick fell to him. His 76th-minute half-volley found its way into the top corner of Alisson’s goal.
Both sides failed to add any more goals to the scoreline, and the match ended with no incident. Brazil will take on Croatia in the quarterfinals in what is expected to be a tantalising encounter.
