O Jogo Bonito – what fantastically beautiful football: With a spectacular goal gala on Monday evening (December 5th, 2022), Brazil magically made it into the quarter-finals of the World Cup against South Korea. South Korea’s coach subsequently resigned.
The first Brazilian jubilation at the well-deserved 4: 1 (4: 0) had already happened before the kick-off. Because the second most important question asked in Brazil after “How is Pelé?” was asked by coach Tite, to the great satisfaction of all Seleção fans: Yes, Neymar will play. The Brazilian superstar, who had missed two games due to ankle problems and fever, was actually in the starting XI – and was allowed to play the first samba early on.
Vinicius Júnior opens the goal party
Neymar was not directly involved in the 1-0 after six minutes. However, he employed two opponents in the South Koreans’ penalty area, which left Vinicius Júnior completely free after Raphina’s back pass at the far post – and first calmly accepted the ball, waited almost provocatively for a long time and then flicked into the right corner.
Celebrations Brazil against South Korea – there were four times that evening
It was part one of a nightmare start for South Korea, part two followed five minutes later: Woo-young Jung touched Richarlison minimally on the ankle while attempting to clear in his own penalty area, whereupon the center forward made a spectacular take-off.
Neymar converted the penalty – after Raphina briefly but in vain flirted with the execution – then personally in slow motion to make it 2-0 (13th). It was his 76th international goal, Pelé, who was seriously ill with cancer from the hospital in São Paulo before kick-off and spoke moving words to the players, has 77.
Two goals like a painting
South Korea seemed shocked and tried almost desperately to break free from the grip. This was achieved for the first time in the 17th minute, but Alisson Becker just managed to deflect a remarkable long-range shot from Hee-chan Hwang around the right angle. The South Koreans couldn’t think of more than one further attempt from distance by Hwang after 24 minutes – then Brazil conjured up two football paintings on the pitch.
The fact that the Tite team still had to listen to the many experts in their own country after the group games that the defense was in good shape, but there was a lack of glamor and spectacle up front, could be felt after this double strike in the 29th and 37th minutes mothball
Head hung up three times
First Richarlison put the ball three times (!) in front of his own head, then chipped it past the opponent, got it played back perfectly after a lightning combination via Danilo and Marquinhos and pushed it coolly over the line – it took away from the beauty this hit even with his side kick from the Serbia game.
Even the coach, who always seemed so gnarly and serious, was then involved in the dance routines, but the party in the first half was still over: A counterattack via Neymar and Vinicius Júnior ended with a beautifully chipped cross on the rushing Lucas Paquetá, the volley to 4:0 executed – it was a world champion demonstration in all respects.
Son and Hwang fail because of Becker
In the second round, South Korea fought against total humiliation, but it wasn’t their evening: Alisson Becker (47′) defused a big chance from Heung-min Son, then Brazil screwed up the result again. The outstanding Raphina failed twice at Seung-gyu Kim (54th/62nd), before Alisson Becker again prevented the consolation goal with a sensational save against Hee-chan Hwang (67th).
The brave South Koreans were then granted that: Fifteen minutes before the end, Seung-ho Paik hammered the ball into the right corner from 26 meters to make it 4-1. By this point, Brazil had let the game run its course, and there was still time to put things in a good mood: Tite brought on his third goalkeeper, Wéverton, ten minutes before the end – so all three keepers in the squad are now available.
Now Croatia is waiting
The Asians now have to make a new World Cup attempt in the USA in three and a half years, for the Brazilians it is about the entry on Friday (December 9th, 2022) in the Lusail Iconic Stadium against Croatia (4 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de). to the semifinals.
Neymar is full of anticipation: “We have to go step by step, but our dream is to crown this World Cup with the title. For today, the most important thing for me is that Pele was able to enjoy our game, we all hope that he will recover soon. “
Paulo Bento says goodbye
South Korea’s Portuguese coach Paulo Bento then announced his retirement late in the evening: “My future will not be in South Korea, I’m taking a break. I just told the players and the federation president. It’s a decision I made back in September.”
The Portuguese took over the two-time Asian champions in 2018 and only made it to the round of 16 in Qatar for the third time in World Cup history. His contract expires at the end of the year. “I thank the players for everything they have done,” he continued, “I’m proud to have been their coach.”