5 issues on World Cup, Day 16: Brazilian carnival, Asian agony

1. Brazil rating for enjoyable – and for Pele

They had been targets crafted on Copacabana Seaside. Joyous throwbacks to the Brazil of previous.

And the proper tonic for ailing immortal Pele who, though desperately sick, insists he’s not prepared for the ultimate whistle simply but.

They had been additionally a reminder that Brazil are in Qatar on enterprise, hellbent on ending a trophy “drought” that goes again to 2002.

In some way, the five-time winners have discovered methods to lose within the final 4 World Cups.

After they play like this, you marvel how.

South Korea had been merely swept away on a tide of jogo bonita – the attractive sport – that took Brazil right into a 4-0 lead after 36 minutes.

Magic within the toes. Telepathic understanding. Scientific ending. A mesmeric blur of blue and yellow.

Vinicius Junior had time to sip a caipirinha earlier than selecting his spot to start out the rout.

Richarlison did a little bit of ball-juggling earlier than delivering one other contender for aim of the match.

A variation on his acrobatics within the first sport: a spot of solo head tennis, a go and a end like a Federer forehand.

Now we all know why he was most well-liked to Firmino: what a repertoire.

2. Brazil have the keepers, too!

When your keeper is a candidate for Man of the Match, it’s often a nasty signal. However not on this event.

Liverpool stopper Alisson made three world-class saves to maintain out a spirited South Korean resistance.

With 10 minutes to go, he gave solution to Pereira Weverton to make sure that each member of the squad acquired on the sector.

In addition to being good for staff spirit, it was a reminder of Brazil’s all-round energy and depth.

Weverton might not be as well-known as Alisson and Ederson, however is a legend with Palmeiras and a penalty-saving specialist.

Not content material with the perfect two keepers on this planet, they’ve a 3rd in case they’re taken to spot-kicks.

3. Korean comfort

Shell-shocked within the first half, South Korea recovered to “win” the second – and restore a little bit of satisfaction for Asian soccer.

After wanting as if all of them needed to cover behind Son Heung-min’s masks, they discovered their mojo.

And scored arguably the perfect aim of the sport.

Paik Seun-ho’s great volley got here in a misplaced trigger and wasn’t a lone effort – Brazil keeper Alisson having to be at his finest.

No, there was no storming comeback, however at the very least Paolo Bento’s males had come again to life.

Brazil understandably took their collective foot off the gasoline however the inroads South Korea made supplied glimmers to future opponents.

Extra importantly for Asian soccer, stemming the Brazilian tide was a morale-booster after Japan’s penalty debacle.

4. Japan are new penalty clowns

Sayonara! The solar has set on Japan’s epic World Cup journey after they dedicated harakiri within the penalty shootout with Croatia.

It was the worst attainable means for them to bow out. For a tradition that’s all about order, dignity and satisfaction, this can damage.

After taking the lead and trying to proceed the shape that noticed off each Spain and Germany, the Japanese allowed the gritty Croats to stage and take them to penalties.

An awesome bullet header by Ivan Perisic saved them in it and added to an already good match for Spurs.

For many years, it has been England who’ve been the undisputed clowns of the shootout, discovering methods to overlook that had not been invented.

However within the Al Janoub stadium, Japan assumed the title in essentially the most dispiriting style.

They contrived to overlook three makes an attempt permitting a single strike by Mario Palasic to ship them packing.

However it was the way of the kicks that has Japanese soccer hanging its head in disgrace.

Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero and deservedly man of the match, however he didn’t have a lot to do.

If the Japanese kickers had an indication on their foreheads, they couldn’t have given away their intentions extra clearly.

The physique language of Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida wanted no translation, and Livakovic learn all three with some consolation.

Including insult to harm, Neymar’s rolled penalty for Brazil within the subsequent sport was even slower however at the very least he had despatched the keeper within the different course.

5. Previous, drained, fortunate, however Croats are winners

Admitting you’re fortunate and drained after edging out Belgium within the group part was not the stuff of motivational seminars.

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic was simply being sincere along with his evaluation: Croatia had been creaking earlier than kickoff, there for the taking.

An growing older aspect that was at Japan’s mercy in accordance with some. However Japan couldn’t end them off.

The Croatian keeper will rightly be hailed a nationwide hero for his hattrick of penalty saves. However he wasn’t even at full stretch.

You concern he can be towards Brazil subsequent up, however what a possibility Japan missed.

Many individuals’s staff of the match, they only lacked that killer aim. Even from the penalty spot.

What this can do to the Japanese psyche is anybody’s guess.