Brazil put on a ruthless exhibition against South Korea by handing down a brutal 4-0 thumping before half-time in their round-of-16 clash on Monday evening.
Tite’s men, who topped Group G ahead of Switzerland, took the lead in the opening 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr converted with their first shot on target at the Stadium 974.
Vinicius was unfazed by the five South Koreans between him and the net, with the 22-year-old Real Madrid star taking a touch before expertly firing the ball past Kim Seung-gyu.
Only minutes later from Brazil’s opener, Richarlison’s foot was kicked inside the box and Tite’s men were awarded a penalty.
Advert
Neymar stepped up for the subsequent penalty and was unfazed by the South Korea No 1’s efforts to put him off by positioning himself close to the left-hand post.
The 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar started with a slow run up for his penalty and coolly slotted the ball in the bottom corner.
Richarlison, who has been in stunning form for Brazil at the World Cup, proceeded to steal the best moment of the first half to fire his side into a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The 25-year-old Tottenham star began with juggling the ball before a lovely bit of one-touch from Marquinhos to Thiago Silva, with Richarlison finishing off the move by slotting past Seung-gyu.
Brazil continued their first-half steam-rolling of South Korea after Vinicius lifted a beautiful ball from the left side of the penalty area into the path of an onrushing Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta’s first-time volley effortlessly beat the helpless South Korea ‘keeper, with Brazil taking a dominating 4-0 lead ahead of half-time.
One fan commented on social media: “Crikey… Brazil are looking absolutely bloody frightening.”
Someone else tweeted: “Who beats Brazil then? This is frightening stuff.”
Another Twitter user commented: “[World Cup] Richarlison = Pele regen.”
READ MORE:
- Roy Keane tears into Brazil players and manager over ‘disrespectful’ dance celebrations
- Brazil bring out Pele banner after 4-1 win over South Korea at World Cup
While another fan posted: “This Brazil team are winning this [World Cup], this team is totally unbelievable.”
A fifth added: “That first-half performance from Brazil was a joy to watch, some unbelievable football, they’ll take some stopping.”
Brazil will face Croatia, who defeated Japan on penalties in their last-16 tie on Monday, in the quarter-finals if they hold their lead over South Korea.
Topics: Brazil, South Korea, Football, Football World Cup
Adnan Riaz