Special Envoy to Doha
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The clear message from Brazil
A demonstration.
A delight.
Total control.
In all cases, the media and specialized newspapers around the world will have been amazed Monday evening after the recital offered by Brazil, the big favorite of this World Cup.
Without forcing, but with talent, brilliance and seriousness, Tite's men made short work of South Koreans (4-1) far too weak to exist.
After this one-sided match, and with the return of a dashing Neymar, the Auriverde selection advances with a bulging chest for a shock of a whole new level next Friday (4 p.m.) in the quarter-finals against Croats who passed very close of the exit against Japan (1-1, 1 tab to 3).
But with such offensive potential, players driven by this quest for the sixth star and a fantastic group, all dreams are allowed.
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The Neymar attraction … which responds to Mbappé and Messi
Lionel Messi on Saturday, Kylian Mbappé on Sunday, Neymar on Monday, while waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday evening with Portugal against Switzerland (8 p.m.).
It's hard to choose between foie gras or lobster... This World Cup in Doha has the merit of delighting the privileged – that we are – able to attend such a parade of stars.
All in the same city and in such a short time.
In four days, the legends of this sport parade before our amazed eyes and those of the spectators who have made the trip to Qatar.
This is the great strength of this meeting in Qatar.
Expected after his ankle injury, which occurred during the first match against the Helvetians, Neymar shone Monday evening on the lawn of the 974 stadium. To the delight of the Brazilian fans who came in large numbers.
At each appearance, during the warm-up, hymns,
his first ball, his goal from the penalty spot (2-0, 12th), a shiver ran through the enclosure.
And the number 10 with the peroxide cup took the liberty of responding to Mbappé and Messi, scorers before him during these round of 16.
The boss is back.
Neymar back with Brazil on Monday night in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS
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Tite's dance, samba and trembling stands at the 974 stadium
Monday night samba football in Doha.
For a delicious evening, without air conditioning (stadium 974 is the only one of the 8 of this Mondial without an air conditioning system) and a first class show.
Even before the match, all the way to the stadium by metro, in pleasant heat (27 degrees), the Brazilian supporters lived up to their reputation with a gentle and joyful atmosphere.
It was the same once we entered the evening theatre.
Songs, cheers fed for Neymar (but not only) and even trembling stands in the first period in the face of the collective excitement and the spectacle offered on the lawn.
In the 29th minute, after Richarlison's goal for the 3-0, the whole Auriverde group spun on the sidelines to start a dance with... Tite.
Faced with the "request" of his players,
the coach went through the exercise with ease and a smile.
A magical and delicious moment.
Tribute and thought to Pelé
At more than 10,000 kilometers away, Brazilian players do not forget the legend.
Plagued by serious health problems, even if the latest news from Brazil seems reassuring, Pelé received a strong and warm tribute from the members of the selection.
After their easy qualification for the quarter-finals, Neymar, Paqueta and Thiago Silva, surrounded by their partners took the break in the middle of the field by deploying a large poster with a photo of Pelé.
A beautiful moment of communion.
Read alsoContainers, no air conditioning… The astonishing 974 stadium which hosts the Blues
Tite with his players for a little Samba in Doha PAUL CHILDS / PANORAMIC
Read alsoLivakovic as a hero, the fervent Japanese supporters, discreet Modric… The favorites / claw of our special correspondent after Japan-Croatia
Claw strokes
Another stadium that is not full
We repeat it at each meeting but the observation is implacable.
If the stadiums are magnificent, practical, easy to access and sometimes original like this 974 enclosure with its containers, the stands are still not full.
A sad habit in this World Cup.
The examples are numerous and multiplying, identical situation no later than Sunday evening during France-Poland at the Al-Thumama stadium with sparse stands, and the organization is struggling, despite filling figures which do not reflect reality (43,847 announced out of 44,000 possible this Monday evening), to hide a state of affairs.
The matches are not full.
South Korea exploded in flight
It took a little half time, and again, for North Korea to explode in flight.
There was little doubt about the script in terms of suspense and outcome, but witnessing such a show of force in such a short time speaks to two things.
From a surgical, spectacular and unplayable Brazil, but also from a Korea that is too tender, too docile and far too fragile.
Four shots and four goals scored by Vinicius (1-0, 7th), Neymar (2-0, 13th), Richarlison (3-0, 29th) and Paqueta (4-0, 36th) for a real ordeal in the first act .
Afterwards, Brazil managed.
In his hand.
Without forcing.
Only a magnificent goal from Paik Seung-Ho (4-1, 76th), with a splendid volley from the left from 30 meters, brought a little smile back to the South Koreans.
The partners of Son, far too isolated to exist in this one-way part,
played like children, giving too much space and comfort to an opponent who didn't need such gifts to shine.
It was early Christmas in Doha.
