Brazil defeats South Korea with ease and advances to the World Cup 2022 quarterfinals after scoring four goals in the first half.
After missing time with an injury, Neymar helped Brazil defeat South Korea 4-1, setting up a World Cup quarterfinal matchup with Croatia.
At Stadium 974 on Monday, four consecutive Brazilian goals in the first half established an imposing tone for a team with its sights set firmly on a sixth World Cup victory
Even though the game became more even in the second half, it was never dull or sloppy, and South Korea put up a valiant fight to earn a consolation goal in the 76th minute.
Brazil scored after just seven minutes when Raphinha picked up the ball well outside the penalty area and sprinted in on the right side to send a pass to Neymar. The Paris Saint-Germain number 10 was knocked to the ground by his defender, and the ball landed at Vinicius Jr.’s feet in a sea of open space.
The Real Madrid player composed himself before putting the ball to the right of South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
Richarlison was pulled down by Jung Woo-young inside the box three minutes later, and the referee signaled to the spot. Following previous victories over South Korea with bleached hair, Neymar reportedly flew his barber to Qatar to color his hair blonde. Neymar wasted no time in putting the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net. With less than 15 minutes left, Brazil was up 2-0.
Hwang Hee-chan, who had just scored the winning goal against Portugal, had a shot from a distance but easily sent the ball over the bar. South Korea also had other opportunities. Later, Allison had to make his first save of the competition while diving to his left.
But Paolo Bento’s men were simply outclassed in every part of the pitch.
A remarkable piece of skill in the 26th minute saw Richarlison juggling the ball, heading it to himself three times while evading defenders on the edge of the South Korean box. He then passed the ball before running through on goal to receive the return, firing the ball in for Brazil’s third.
Just 10 minutes later, Vinicius Jr set up Lucas Paqueta with a cheeky chip, and the midfielder shot low and right. Kim Seung-gyu could do little but look at the ball nestling in the back of the net.
With four goals before half-time, Brazil was putting down a marker for any teams who think they might have a chance of lifting the trophy on December 18.
Son Heung-min nearly clawed one back for South Korea straight after the restart, but Alisson — who must, through this game alone, be in contention for the Golden Glove — got enough of his arm onto the shot to tip it wide.
Faced with the intensity of Brazil’s onslaught, South Korea tried to slow the game, but more chances for Raphinha and Vinicius Jr followed despite the best efforts of the men in red.
Then came the 77th minute, and out of nowhere, Paik Seung-ho scored from outside the box. A free kick for South Korea was bundled clear by the Brazilian defence, falling to Paik, who belted it past Alisson’s dive to find the top-right corner. Finally, the South Korean fans had something to cheer about.
South Korea continued to work hard in defence and create chances in attack, but that goal was to be their only score, and they head home having been soundly beaten by one of the best teams in the world.
Brazil will face Croatia in the quarter-finals at Education City on Friday.
