Richarlison scores again worth seeing: Brazil underpins claims with gala against South Korea

Four goals in 30 minutes

Brazil’s ball artists have underpinned their dream of a sixth World Cup title with a gala performance. The record world champion moved into the quarter-finals of the tournament in Qatar on Monday evening with a 4-1 (4-0) win against hopelessly overwhelmed South Koreans. In the first half alone at Stadion 974, the Seleção scored four goals through Vinicius Junior (7th minute), Neymar (13th / penalty kick), Richarlison (29th) and Lucas Paquetá (36th), one of which was more beautiful than that other was. Ex-Darmstadt Seung-Ho Paik (76th) scored the consolation goal for the outsider. In the round of the top eight teams, the Brazilians will now meet runners-up Croatia on Friday (4:00 p.m.).

Less than 15 minutes had been played in front of the 43,847 spectators before the Brazilians danced their joy twice in front of the crowd. First the strong Raphinha started to dribble on the right wing, moved into the penalty area and placed across Vinicius Junior. Instead of completing it straight away, the 22-year-old took the ball calmly, aimed for the right corner and threw the ball into the goal. Then the whole team hopped arm in arm before the corner, then Neymar, Vincius Júnior, Lucas Paquetá and Raphinha performed another samba interlude. Four minutes later they were jumping again.

This time Richarlison was fouled in the penalty area and referee Clément Turpin awarded a penalty. And now the fans were demanding Neymar, who had recovered from his foot injury, as a shooter. The 30-year-old delayed his run-up and leisurely pushed the ball into the bottom right corner. Because South Korea’s goalkeeper stopped, the ball tumbled into the goal. The goal made the superstar the only Brazilian, along with Pelé and Ronaldo, to have scored in three different World Cups. And the Seleção did not stop.

At no point in the game did it appear that the South Koreans could pose a serious threat to the record world champions. The Asians hardly got their exceptional player Heung-Min Son into the game. In addition, they were overwhelmed by the speed and technical class of the favorite. The former Leipziger Hee-Chan Hwang (17th/32nd) tested goalkeeper Alisson twice in the first round. But on both occasions, Brazil were already comfortably in the lead. The Seleção only allowed what they could also allow given the one-sided game. Her victory was never in danger. Instead, the height was increased.

After a superb three-poster combination, each with just one touch, Richarlison was free in front of the South Koreans’ goal and slotted in effortlessly. The Tottenham professional had previously balanced the ball on his head for a short time. A few minutes later it got even better. This time, Neymar initiated a Seleção counterattack and put the ball through to Vinicius Júnior, whose cross was put in directly in the center by Paquetá. Again the Brazilians danced in front of the fans. You could almost feel sorry for the Asians.

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