Brazil Turns the World Cup Stage Into Its Own Dance Floor

DOHA, Qatar — After all the bold talk of the coming of a new world order, all the over-excited claims about the rise of Africa and Asia, the last three days have come as something of a reality check. The establishment has struck back. Brazil’s dominant 4–1 win over South Korea means that, unless Morocco shocks Spain on Tuesday, the quarterfinals will be made up of a familiar mix of two South American giants (Brazil, Argentina) plus half a dozen sides from Europe (France, England, Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Portugal/Switzerland).

It was, in truth, always a stretch to expect South Korea to challenge Brazil. It did, after all, lose 5–1 to Brazil in a friendly in June. Its group was the strangest at this World Cup, shaped as much by the two penalties given to Portugal—one very soft, one plain wrong according to the International Football Association Board guidelines—as by the capacities of the teams. South Korea made it through by surviving for a 0–0 draw against Uruguay, which hit the post against it twice, and then beating a Portugal side that had already qualified. Here, frankly, it did not put up much of a fight, a last-16 forum turned into more of a Brazilian dance party.

Brazil had plenty to dance about during a four-goal first half vs. South Korea.

Manu Fernandez/AP