Brazil delivered the most convincing performance of Carlo Ancelotti's reign so far as they overcame some challenging conditions to thrash South Korea 5-0 in sodden Seoul, with Real Madrid's Rodrygo starring on his return to the squad. After an underwhelming start to his tenure, the Italian tactician will be a much happier man as the Selecao's World Cup preparations begin in earnest.
In torrential rain, Ancelotti's side seized control of proceedings from the first whistle and didn't have to wait long to take the lead. Bruno Guimaraes' exquisite through ball dissected the Korean defence to find Estevao, and the Chelsea youngster fired an unerring first-time finish into the roof of the net from close range.
Brazil continued to dominate the first period, and after Eder Militao had sent a bullet header millimetres over the bar, they doubled their advantage when Vinicius Junior, Casemiro and Rodrygo combined wonderfully, with the latter dropping his shoulder before finding the bottom corner.
Any hopes the buoyant home crowd had of a second-half comeback were swiftly extinguished within five minutes of the restart as South Korea capitulated. First, Estevao pounced on a horrendous error from Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae for his second, and moments later another giveaway led to the ball being put on a plate for Rodrygo to bag a brace of his own and make it 4-0.
That two-goal salvo ended the game as a contest, but there was still plenty of time for Vinicius to add a fifth as he latched onto a fine pass from Matheus Cunha, sat a defender down and prodded a finish beyond the stranded goalkeeper.
GOAL rates Brazil's players from the Seoul World Cup Stadium…
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Bento (6/10):
This was a watching brief for the Al-Nassr man, who barely had to make a save.
Vitinho (7/10):
Solid display from the former Burnley man, who was untroubled down his wing and got forward well.
Eder Militao (8/10):
Sent a bullet header over the bar when he probably should have scored. Defended well on the few occasions South Korea forayed forward.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Able to focus on building from the back but picked up an unnecessary booking for a mistimed tackle in midfield.
Douglas Santos (7/10):
Defended watchfully against Son Heung-min's dangerous runs down the channel, though didn't have much attacking influence.
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Bruno Guimaraes (8/10):
The Newcastle talisman played a wonderful slide-rule pass to create the opener and was able to orchestrate from deep as he rarely came under enough pressure.
Casemiro (8/10):
Bit into tackles and picked up a simple but wonderfully executed assist for Rodrygo, who did the rest.
Rodrygo (9/10):
Passed his audition for the No.10 role with flying colours on his return to the squad and starting line-up. His clever dart inside helped to create the opener, and his dummy and finish for the second oozed class. Made the finish for his brace look easy, too.
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Estevao (8/10):
Started brightly and was rewarded with an early goal, which he took with aplomb. Faded somewhat but was alert enough to pounce on an error to bag himself a second.
Matheus Cunha (8/10):
Typically industrious as something of a false nine, making marauding runs to haul his side up the pitch. Had no clear sightings of goal himself, but his pass for Vinicius was perfectly weighted.
Vinicius Junior (8/10):
He had been overshadowed somewhat by his attacking colleagues initially but made some dazzling runs and his role in Brazil's second of the night shouldn't be overlooked. Certainly earned his goal late on.
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Lucas Paqueta (7/10):
Immediately busied himself and made sure the attacking intensity didn't drop.
Paulo Henrique (6/10):
A little loose in possession at right-back but largely fine.
Carlo Augusto (6/10):
Filled in on the left flank with no real issues.
Igor Thiago (N/A):
Introduced too late to make any real impact.
Andre (N/A):
Gave the impressive Guimaraes a rest.
Richarlison (N/A):
On in the dying embers for Cunha and couldn't really get into the game.
Carlo Ancelotti (9/10):
Recalled Rodrygo for the friendlies against South Korea and Japan and was immediately vindicated here, with the Real Madrid man starring in Seoul. Seemed to finally find exactly the right balance in the torrential rain, and unsurprisingly kept the same team on the pitch until fairly late on.
