Vicinius Jr, Neymar Jr, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta’s goals guided the 5-time champions Brazil to a 4-1 clinical win over South Korea in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Tuesday at Stadium 974. South Korea tried to pull back one goal in the second half but it wasn’t enough for the Asian side to take over the game from Brazil. With the win, Brazil booked their spot in the quarter-final, and they will meet Croatia on Friday at Education City Stadium.
The record-time winners are now eager to stage a reunion with the arch-rivals Argentina in the semi-finals with a win over Croatia.
The PSG superstar Neymar has made his return to the knockout stage even though he has missed some crucial Group G fixtures due to an ankle injury. Neymar was in full form throughout the match as Brazil breezed past the Son Heung Min side by a big margin.
Neymar scored his 76th goal for Brazil after converting a first-half penalty, moving one goal behind Pele’s record for most goals scored for a national team.
This is for the eighth straight time that Brazil made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Earlier, Vicinus Junior gave the side a 1-0 lead by registering an early goal in the 7th minute of the game. The 22-year-old Player received a pass from Raphinha and he perfectly placed the ball into the nets.
Six minutes later, Korea’s Woo Young committed a rough tackle on the field that led Brazil to get a penalty. Neymar Junior makes brilliant use of the penalty to give Brazil their second goal of the night. Neymar, kicking slowly into the right corner, perfectly fooled the opposition goalkeeper to steal the goal in the 13th minute.
In the 29th minute, Brazil got another goal from Richarlison, a 3-0 lead over South Korea. Richarlison got a short pass from Thiago Silva and he unleashed a comfortable shot into the nets.
Lucas Paqueta also joined the success party, registering his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute to mark a 4-0 lead in the match. He made his shot inside the box which brilliantly dodged the goalkeeper to enter the nets.
South Korea made changes to the side in the second half and finally, they registered their first goal in the 76th minute. Korea’s Seung-Ho Paik produced a strong shot during the free-kick which entrapped goalkeeper Allison and reached the net.
For the first time since their historic stint as a co-host in 2022 when they made it to the semi-finals and finished 4th, South Korea was trying to advance past the Round of 16. But Brazil clearly dominated the game with a 4-1 lead.
Tite’s men will now meet Luka Modric-led Croatia in the last-eight clash of the Qatar World Cup.
