Fit-again Neymar returns and scores on a penalty kick return. Brazil put on a spectacular performance to defeat the Korean Republic. And book a quarterfinal matchup with Croatia for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
For the rabid South Americans, the good news kept coming. After just 13 minutes, Neymar defied expectations by making his injury comeback, and the legendary Paris Saint-Germain forward was jubilant. Richarlison unexpectedly appeared on Jung Wooyoung’s shoulder. The defense accidentally clipped the attacker’s ankle while attempting to clear the ball, earning Brazil a penalty.
Goals: Brazil: Vinicius Junior (7), Neymar (13 pens), Richarlison (29), Lucas Paqueta (36)
Korea Republic: Paik Seungho (76)
- Brazil’s four goals in 29 first-half minutes surprised the Korean Republic.
- On Friday, coach Tite’s team plays Croatia in the quarterfinal.
Kim Seunggyu was utterly fooled by Neymar’s returns and stuttering and shimmying throughout the run-up as the ball slid by him on the left. At this point, Brazil had already scored one goal to lead. Vinicius Jr. controlled Raphinha’s right-wing cutback across the box before punching a shot past goalkeeper Kim and into the far right corner with a barely audible backlift.
The third goal for Brazil was scored by Richarlison after a beautiful play. Before passing the ball to Marquinhos. The Tottenham Hotspur player first used a series of headers to establish control of the situation. When Richarlison continued running forward, he fired a ball across the edge of the box for Thiago Silva. Who saw him and whipped a beautiful first-time pass for his teammate to finish easily for his third goal of the competition.
When Lucas Paqueta reached the goal area to meet Vinicius J’s cross from the byline on the full, it had already been four goals in less than 29 minutes. Kim couldn’t even blink before the ball passed him.