Richarlison delivering another contender for goal of the tournament. (AP pic)
1. Brazil score for fun – and for Pele
They were goals crafted on Copacabana Beach. Joyous throwbacks to the Brazil of old.
And the perfect tonic for ailing immortal Pele who, although desperately ill, insists he’s not ready for the final whistle just yet.
They were also a reminder that Brazil are in Qatar on business, hellbent on ending a trophy “drought” that goes back to 2002.
Somehow, the five-time winners have found ways to lose in the last four World Cups.
When they play like this, you wonder how.
South Korea were simply swept away on a tide of jogo bonita – the beautiful game – that took Brazil into a 4-0 lead after 36 minutes.
Magic in the feet. Telepathic understanding. Clinical finishing. A mesmeric blur of blue and yellow.
Vinicius Junior had time to sip a caipirinha before picking his spot to start the rout.
Richarlison did a bit of ball-juggling before delivering another contender for goal of the tournament.
A variation on his acrobatics in the first game: a spot of solo head tennis, a pass and a finish like a Federer forehand.
Now we know why he was preferred to Firmino: what a repertoire.
2. Brazil have the keepers, too!
When your keeper is a candidate for Man of the Match, it’s usually a bad sign. But not on this occasion.
Liverpool stopper Alisson made three world-class saves to keep out a spirited South Korean resistance.
With 10 minutes to go, he gave way to Pereira Weverton to ensure that every member of the squad got on the field.
As well as being good for team spirit, it was a reminder of Brazil’s all-round strength and depth.
Weverton may not be as well-known as Alisson and Ederson, but is a legend with Palmeiras and a penalty-saving specialist.
Not content with the best two keepers in the world, they have a third in case they’re taken to spot-kicks.
3. Korean consolation
Shell-shocked in the first half, South Korea recovered to “win” the second – and restore a bit of pride for Asian football.
After looking as if they all wanted to hide behind Son Heung-min’s mask, they found their mojo.
And scored arguably the best goal of the game.
Paik Seun-ho’s wonderful volley came in a lost cause and wasn’t a lone effort – Brazil keeper Alisson having to be at his best.
No, there was no storming comeback, but at least Paolo Bento’s men had come back to life.
Brazil understandably took their collective foot off the gas but the inroads South Korea made offered glimmers to future opponents.
More importantly for Asian football, stemming the Brazilian tide was a morale-booster after Japan’s penalty debacle.
Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic saved three Japanese spot-kicks. (AP pic)
4. Japan are new penalty clowns
Sayonara! The sun has set on Japan’s epic World Cup journey after they committed harakiri in the penalty shootout with Croatia.
It was the worst possible way for them to bow out. For a culture that’s all about order, dignity and pride, this will hurt.
After taking the lead and looking to continue the form that saw off both Spain and Germany, the Japanese allowed the gritty Croats to level and take them to penalties.
A great bullet header by Perisic kept them in it and added to an already good tournament for Spurs.
For decades, it has been England who have been the undisputed clowns of the shootout, finding ways to miss that had not been invented.
But in the Al Janoub stadium, Japan assumed the title in the most dispiriting fashion.
They contrived to miss three attempts allowing a single strike by Mario Palasic to send them packing.
But it was the manner of the kicks that has Japanese football hanging its head in shame.
Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero and deservedly man of the match, but he didn’t have much to do.
If the Japanese kickers had a sign on their foreheads, they couldn’t have given away their intentions more clearly.
The body language of Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida needed no translation, and Livakovic read all three with some comfort.
Adding insult to injury, Neymar’s rolled penalty for Brazil in the next game was even slower but at least he had sent the keeper in the other direction.
5. Old, tired, lucky, but Croats are winners
Admitting you’re lucky and tired after edging out Belgium in the group phase was not the stuff of motivational seminars.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic was just being honest with his assessment: Croatia were creaking before kickoff, there for the taking.
An aging side that was at Japan’s mercy according to some. But Japan couldn’t finish them off.
The Croatian keeper will rightly be hailed a national hero for his hattrick of penalty saves. But he wasn’t even at full stretch.
You fear he will be against Brazil next up, but what an opportunity Japan missed.
Many people’s team of the tournament, they just lacked that killer goal. Even from the penalty spot.
What this will do to the Japanese psyche is anyone’s guess.
