Doha, Qatar (AP) December,6– Joy and dancing are back for her five-time World Champion Brazil in his Cup of the Worlds.
Brazil clinched a place in the quarter-finals in Qatar with a big win over South Korea on Monday. It also restored confidence in the team after a tumultuous start to the tournament, with Seleção losing Neymar to injury and an unbeaten streak in the group stage after being lost to Cameroon.
But Neymar returned in style, setting the tone and scoring a goal in Brazil’s 4–1 win for her at Stadion 974. Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta also scored and Brazil danced with each goal. They promised a different celebration for each goal in Qatar and were finally able to capitalize on a number of goals after a group stage in which Brazil scored just three goals. In the last group match, he lost 0:1 to Cameroon.
His Tite, a trainer, also spoke up and joined Richarlison’s signature “dove” celebration.
The coaches and players formed a circle, put their hands on their hips and began bowing to imitate Richarlison’s nickname, the dove.
After the match, Richardson showed former Brazilian international Ronaldo a dance and taught him the moves. After Vinicius Junior’s first goal, the Brazilian was already dancing. It was the same after the goal.
All dancing drew criticism from former Irish player and commentator Roy Keane, who said that Brazilian players “do not respect opposition”, especially if their manager interferes.
Tait joked with Richarlison before the game that he would dance with his players if they scored.
He said the win was important to restore the team’s morale after losing to Cameroon, and Neymar’s return was important to the team’s confidence.
“The team has improved. I can’t ask for more from them,” he said. “Neymar is our leader and the team knows he is there and makes a difference. He makes other players better.”
Neymar missed two games after injuring his right ankle in the 2-0 win over Serbia. Brazil then beat Switzerland 1-0 before losing to Cameroon in 17 matches. This streak dates back to 1998. This was their first defeat on the group stage.
Brazil, seeking their first World Cup title in 20 years, will face her 2018 runners-up Croatia in Friday’s quarterfinals. Brazil reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the eighth time in a row.
