The “King” Pelé, who had made it known that he would follow the match from his hospital bed, must have appreciated the victory as well as the banner that the players displayed at the end of the match, with the writing “Pelé!” and a photo showing him celebrating a goal with the Seleçao.
Treated for colon cancer, the 82-year-old triple world champion (1958, 1962, 1970) will have been able to see a Brazil in demonstration, firmly supported by an impeccable defense, which allows the attackers to deploy all their talent.
The Brazilian idol has not yet lost his record of 77 goals in selection (according to Fifa), since Neymar, who scored once on penalty, remains – for the moment – at 76 achievements.
As for the Croats, they will have enough to concoct a few video sessions on their opponent by Friday, watching the Brazilian recital: four goals in 36 minutes, against overwhelmed Koreans.
– Response from “Ney” –
There was no observation round: hardly played seven minutes that Vinicius opened the scoring and his personal counter in this World Cup. Forgotten by the defense sucked in on the right by a breakthrough from Raphinha, he took his time to place his shot (1-0, 7th).
The second goal was scored by a severe penalty whistled by French referee Clément Turpin, for a foul by Jung Woo-young on Richarlison. Neymar, for his return, left no one else to transform him (2-0, 13th).
It was the “Ney”’s response to those who had put him under pressure in recent days. The Brazilian press in particular had insisted on the brilliant start to the World Cup of his associates from Paris SG, Kylian Mbappé with France and Leo Messi with Argentina, and called on him to rise to their height, once recovered from his sprain in the right ankle.
Besides his goal, the Brazilian No. 10 did not seem bothered by his ankle during the match, before leaving in the 80th minute.
Mentally strong, the Koreans continued to stand up, trying to play the counterattacks thoroughly, but without closing the game. parade to avoid score reduction.
– Four goals in one half-
But Brazil were really too strong on Monday, and as in training, Richarlison concluded an action that he himself had initiated, launched into the box and behind the defenders by Thiago Silva (3-0, 30th ).
The striker, after celebrating with a dance with his teammates on the pitch, ran to the bench where the substitutes pushed their coach Tite to join in their dance. Proof, if needed, that this group in search of a sixth star is living its World Cup well!
At the break, the five-time world champions led 4-0, thanks to another goal from Paqueta (36th).
The mass was said, but Tite did not rotate immediately, and the same eleven players resumed the match at a more relaxed pace, while maintaining overall control.
The Koreans had chances, but stumbled for a long time on Alisson Becker, imperial, author of two fantastic parades after attempts by Tottenham striker Heung-min Son (47th) and Hee-chan Hwang (68th). Then they magnificently saved the honor by Paik Seung-ho, passed by the Barça training center, author of a powerful long shot on which the Brazilian goalkeeper had to admit defeat (4-1, 76th).
