Brazil crush South Korea to reach 8th consecutive World Cup quarter-final

Brazil blazed their way into the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup following their 4-1 hammering of South Korea in the round of 16 at Stadium 974. First-half goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta powered the Selecao to a 4-0 lead at the break before the South American side pulled up the handbrake in the second period to cruise to victory.

Paik Seung-ho grabbed a late consolation for the South Koreans in the 76th minute with a thunderous strike but the Asian side were comfortably second-best against the five-time world champions, who stormed their way into their 7th consecutive quarter-finals at the World Cup.

Brazil were handed a major boost with the return of Neymar and Danilo to the starting XI following their respective injuries in the group stage, and it took just seven minutes for Tite’s side to open the scoring. Vinicius Jr collected Raphinha’s cross before patiently picking his spot in the top corner to put the Brazilians ahead. 

A few minutes later, Richarlison was fouled in the area by Jung Woo-Young to give the South Americans a penalty. Coming back from his two-game injury layoff, Neymar made no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 2-0 to the Selecao and score his 76th goal for the nation.

Alisson made an excellent reaction save to deny Hwang Hee-chan from distance in the 16th minute before Brazil turned on the style to score their third and completely put the game to bed. Richarlison showed off his flair with a couple of juggles with his head before exchanging some quick interplay with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva at the edge of the South Korea box and placing the ball into the bottom corner to score his third goal of the tournament.

Lucas Paqueta added a fourth goal seven minutes later, volleying home from a Vinicius Jr cross to kill the game off within the first half. Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson made a couple of outstanding saves in the second period to keep the Selecao clean sheet. But the Liverpool shot-stopper was powerless in stopping Paik Seung-ho’s unstoppable volley in the 76th minute that gave the South Korean fans something to cheer on an otherwise forgettable night.

Following this result, Brazil will play Croatia in the quarter-finals on Friday, who beat Japan on penalties in their last 16 clash and considering the performance from the Selecao on Monday night, a sixth World Cup title could be well within their grasp.