The record five-time champions dominated in Doha to cruise through to the quarter-finals as a favourite to win the title. They could easily have won by a much larger margin, as well.
Vinicius Jr took just seven minutes to break the deadlock when the Real Madrid winger hit home a cool finish. Four minutes later and Richarlison won his nation a penalty after Woo-Young Jung clipped the Tottenham Hotspur forward. Neymar would dispatch the attempt.
The Selecao are chasing a first win since Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho swept to glory in 2002 and their first-half display at Stadium 974 was worthy of being a part of that lineage.
Pele, who posted a message of support from his Twitter account saying he would watch on from his hospital bed, might also have recognised something in the wonderful verve of Brazil’s play form the moment Vinicius coolly found a seventh-minute opener.
Paik Seung-ho ensured the spectacular goals were not limited to Brazil, but this was still a performance to strike fear into quarterfinal opponents Croatia and the rest of the teams remaining in Qatar.
Mustapha Hadji – Ahtor Sports Desk
