World Cup 2022: Brazil’s masterful performance

We did not realize that this was a gala evening, because even at the only stadium in Doha without air conditioning, we would have come in a tuxedo and a bow tie. Leaves to be hot, as far as it should see it. What a concert, what a desire, what a joy to play. Brazil have finally ditched the handbrake on their football. South Korea will go home with red buttocks (4-1), as will the jersey, but there is little they can do about it. Who would resist Thiago Silva’s teammates when they are like this. Taking the field for a sandbox where we play without calculation.

True, Croatia will certainly be a less naive and more rude adversary than South Korea. But the overall impression left by Brazil is that of a car that has finally begun its journey to glory. And at best: the soccer ball is interpreted as childish laughter. With fits of happiness that make you want to hug them. The Auriverde returned to something we no longer expected: the promise of a golden future. If their game has to be so brilliant now, we want to spend Christmas and New Year in Qatar. Everything is better with them. Of course, the World Cup gave the right to open Messi’s locks and the magic of Mbappe’s legs. But this showcase of five-time world champions will catapult them back into the front ranks of the favourites.

Even Pele was invited to the party

So in this knockout obstacle course, where the best sometimes slipped but didn’t fall, Brazil should have taken the lead. And he decided to leave the entrance in his best pair of boots. The one that gives him grip and ensures he moves faster than the others. Same Neymar. Thus, Tite was not bluffing. His star’s right ankle was well restored. A good contrast to the 974 stadium, which was living out its last lights before being dismantled. This building, built from containers, hosted the last match of the World Cup, after which it was promised to be demolished in a few weeks. But it is South Korea that will quickly fall to pieces.

It only takes seven minutes for the Brazilian’s first punch to break through the fragile South Korean wall. The center from Rafinha finds Vinicius at the far post, who controls and scores (1-0, 7th). Even if it does not affect the final result, it is a pity that Clement Turpin, who probably thought he was in L1, whistled a very severe penalty for a foul on Richarlison. But Neymar accepts the gift and deftly scores (2-0, 13th). This is his seventh World Cup goal. Only two from Mbappe. We say it, we say nothing…

Now that the main thing has been acquired, it remains only to get the carnival floats, wave the feathers and multiply the arabesques. The Star Trek is reopened. After four head juggling and a great three-way game with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva, Richarlison scored the best collective goal of the tournament (3-0, 29th). In the process, another Brazil peroxide launches its trainer into its famous “dove” dance, his nickname. But the turkeys thought that this Brazil could be taken. A bit more ? Come on, that’s good, because this is Brazil. The center from Vinicius is attacked by the ex-Lionese Packet (4-0, 36th place). Gift. And the beautiful volley of Seung-Ho Paik, reducing the score (4-1, 76th place), fades into the background.

It was a football happy hour and it was Seleção who invited the whole room. Even Pele was invited to the party with a giant banner. And if, which, she probably didn’t empty her pockets, there must be three more performances by magicians.