There really is only one glaringly obvious thing to say - if Pele was watching the first half of this game from his hospital bed, he would have approved.
Approved of the youthful impudence of Vinicius Junior, who began this riotous celebration of Brazilian football by sending four South Korean defenders and a goalkeeper for a taxi before clipping in a delicious first. Approved of the supreme confidence of Neymar, who stroked home a penalty that took him to within one of the Greatest’s record tally of 77 Brazilian goals.
Approved of Richarlison’s headed party trick, his link-up with Marquinhos and Thiago Silva and his nonchalant finish for the third. Approved of what was, quite frankly, an almost laughably-good fourth, Lucas Paqueta volleying home Vinicius’ dinked assist. Approved of every dazzling detail of this demolition of the hapless South Koreans and approved of the message it sent to world football.
