Five time world champions Brazil turned on the style, dancing their way in a one-sided 4-1 win over South Korea in their round-of-16 match to advance to the quarterfinals of the Qatar 2922 World Cup yesterday.
Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta were all on the scoresheet in a dominant first half as Samba Boys cruised into a quarterfinal matchup against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, who earlier progressed into the World Cup quarterfinals after winning a penalty shootout over Japan on Monday following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead at the Al Janoub Stadium just before half-time when he pounced following a deep free-kick into the opposing penalty box. Croatia hit back through a super header from Ivan Perisic on 55 minutes to set up a tense final half hour, although neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, nor in extra-time.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic scored to claim a 3-1 win on penalties and send them through to the quarterfinal stage, where they will face Brazil.
Neymar, who had missed Brazil’s final two group games after picking up an ankle injury and Danilo returned to the starting XI for Tite with the Selecao continuing their quest for a sixth World Cup title.
With Brazil legend Pele cheering the team along from the hospital while recovering from a respiratory illness, Vinicius wasted no time putting his side ahead, settling a cross from Raphinha that found him unmarked at the back post and calmly curling a shot into the side netting.
South Korea’s Jung Woo-Young fouled Richarlison in the area minutes after the opener to give Neymar a chance to double the lead. The Paris Saint-Germain star made no mistake from the spot, sending goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu the wrong way to make it 2-0 inside of 15 minutes.
Richarlison made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark, sliding the easiest of finishes into the South Korean goal following some brilliant individual skill and clever interplay with Thiago Silva at the top of the penalty area.
For their fourth goal of the first half, Brazil hit a helpless South Korea with a counter-attack that saw Neymar feed Vinicius, who in turned scooped a cross for the onrushing Paqueta to sidefoot home with his first touch.
Today’s Matches
Spain vs Morocco
Portugal vs Switzerland
Yesterday’s Results
Japan 1-1 Croatia (Pen:1-3)
Brazil 4-1 South Korea.
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