Neymar is back – and so is Joga Bonito.
Less than half an hour into Monday’s 4-1 win over South Korea, and even Brazil boss Tite was dancing.
That’s how much fun he and his players were having in this Qatar 2022 last-16 tie. They were already three goals to the good at that point.
Vinicius Junior had opened the scoring with their first shot on target before Neymar marked his return to action with a penalty.
Richarlison had won that spot-kick and it was he who effectively ended the game as a meaningful contest, coolly finishing off a move he had started by juggling the ball on his head.
Lucas Paqueta added a fourth shortly before the break, meaning Tite could afford to take off some of his stars during the second half.
Credit to Korea, they kept battling, and gave their fantastic fans something to cheer when Paik Seung-ho found the back of the net with a deflected strike – but this night belonged to Brazil.
Below, GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from what was both a serious and joyous statement of intent from the Selecao…