FIFA World Cup: Brazil dominate South Korea to secure quarterfinal spot

Brazil’s forward Richarlison takes a shot during the Qatar World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea.
Photo: AFP

Brazil have emphatically beaten South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16 to secure a spot in the Qatar FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Brazil dominated the first-half of this morning’s fixture at the Stadium 974 – Ras Abu Aboud in Doha.

A quickfire goal from Vinicius Jr in the seventh minute opened the scoring after Raphinha sent a low cross to the wide open Real Madrid winger who cooly curled it across goal to score.

Shortly after, Neymar converted a penalty to make it two after Richarlison was dubiously awarded a foul for minimal contact with the leg of a Japan defender.

Richarlison scored the third goal of the match in quintessential Brazilian fashion, juggling the ball on his head before playing a quick one-two pass with Thiago Silva to glide into the box and slot it past the keeper.

The fourth goal came just seven minutes later as a counterattack found Vinicius Jr who floated an inventive cross into the box for oncoming Lucas Pacqueta to volley home.

After going into halftime up by four goals to nil, Brazil appeared to reduce their intensity of play in the second forty-five, despite having several chances to increase their lead.

Late in the second-half, South Korea opened their account with a great half-volley from recent substitute Paik Seung-Ho.

A free-kick whipped into the Brazil box was cleared out to Seung-Ho who took a touch on the edge of the box and fired his half-volley through a crowd of defenders and into the top right corner.

In a relatively quiet second half, Brazil manager Tite opted to make the gesture of substituting first-choice goalkeeper Alisson to bring on 34-year-old Weverton, ensuring every player in his squad had made an appearance at the tournament.

At the full-time whistle, Brazil’s players walked back out on the field carrying a banner in honour of the legendary Pele, who was recently admitted to hospital.

Brazil is now set to face Croatia in the quarterfinals on Saturday 10 December at 4am.

Follow all the action as it happened: