BRA
Brazil
4
FT
1
KOR
Korea Republic
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World Cup score: Brazil dance past South Korea as Neymar scores in return, Richarlison and Vini Jr. shine

Four goals in the first half was enough for Tite's squad to see off South Korea and set up a date against Croatia

Brazil are through to the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after seeing off South Korea, 4-1, on Monday. Tite's team scored twice in the first 15 minutes to put this one to bed as Vinicius Jr. and Neymar both found the net, the latter returning from an ankle injury to convert a penalty kick. All four of Brazil's goals came in the first half with Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta also finding the net as Brazil dazzled with efficiency and flair, quieting the doubters who questioned an attack that scored just three goals in the group stage. 

South Korea were dominated from start to finish but did get a consolation goal with about 15 minutes to go from Seung-ho Park. Brazil had 18 shots and nine on frame while South Korea put six of their eight shots on goal. 

The South Americans will now face Croatia on Friday in the quarterfinals with the winner taking on the victor of Argentina vs. the Netherlands in the semifinals. 

Here are three takeaways from the match -- and while you're at it, sign up for our new newsletter covering the beautiful game in all its glory, including daily updates about the World Cup, here.

Brazil dance the doubters away

With just three goals in the group stage and then losing 1-0 to Cameroon to finish group play, the rumblings could be heard all the way from Rio de Janeiro as to whether Brazil were going to be able to click and show that they are true contenders. That took just 29 minutes. In what was an emphatic and delightful display, Brazil showed the flair and elegance that made so many fall in love with past iteration of these teams. It almost felt like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo were all out there carving a defense apart and doing it in style.

Just look at the audacity displayed on Richarlison's goal to make it 3-0.

Then there was Vinicius Jr. doing things like this:

Vinicius also decided to just loft little balls into the box in search of style points and goals:

What a show it was. There were just as many dances as goals with Tite even getting in on the dancing with Richarlison. This was the performance everybody had been waiting for from Brazil, cementing themselves as the favorites to win it all and looking ultra stellar in the process. Who can stop them?

Neymar should have come off sooner

Neymar returned to the starting XI after that ankle injury saw him miss the last two games of the group. He converted a penalty and looked pretty good, going 81 minutes strong. Those extra minutes in the second half seemed a little unnecessary though as it was 4-0 at the break, and he seemed like a natural choice to come off. Maybe it is that swollen ankle image tattooed in my brain, and we aren't privileged to the internal discussions of the team, but Tite certainly thought there was a low risk of injury keeping him out there as long as he did. But with Neymar's injury history and how often he gets fouled, you always have a worry a bit. 

Neymar was worried ... but not about this game, rather that his entire World Cup was over after the injury.

"I was very scared because I was doing very well, after a very good season. Suffering an injury like I did is very hard. I spent the other night crying a lot. My family knows, but it all worked out. It was worth the effort," Neymar said, according to Globo. 

Luckily for Brazil, he got through this match without getting hurt again, with a goal and now with even more confidence ahead of facing Croatia. That's scary to think.

South Korea's GK to thank for keeping it close

This could have been a 6-1 or 7-1 game if it wasn't for South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. He made five saves on the night, some coming right in the heart of the box. Conceding four is never fun, but he put together a valiant display as his defenders just could not compete. 

Getting Kim Min-Jae at center back was always going to help, but not even four versions of him could have stopped Brazil on this day.

Kim, on the other hand, prevented what could have been a very embarrassing scoreline with an admirable performance and several crucial stops. He likely won't be remember much, but his teammate will surely appreciate the effort and keeping the scoreline borderline respectable. 

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That's it! Final! Brazil 4, South Korea 1!

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Consolation goal for South Korea!

It's Seung-ho Paik who blasts a shot from the top of the box that sneaks it! Looks like it deflected off Militao! 4-1, and the South Koreans are loving that they were able to find the back of the net! 12 minutes to go!

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20 minutes to go

Brazil are still attacking but also content with defending as a unit as Alisson has made a couple really strong stops. Neymar is still on the pitch which is kind of confusing considering his sore ankle, but Brazil are having a blast and putting on a show. They want another goal.

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Almost 5!

Raphinha gets a great look on goal but is saved well by Kim! His technique and footwork get hm into position, and a rebound see Vinicius sent the ball just wide! 

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Son! Nearly!

A good hit from deep that has some dip on it but goes flying by he far post! It was almost a consolation goal from the underdogs!

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The second half has begun!

The second 45 are underway! 

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That's the end of the first half! 

Brazil 4, South Korea 0. It's just a dance from the leaders, showing off all that sauce and flair on their way to what will be a spot in the semifinals and a date with Croatia. It may only get worse in the second half as Brazil seem content with pouring it on. Vinicius Jr., Neymar, Richarlson and Paqueta the goal scorers. 

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It's 4-0 now! Paqueta scores!

Well, it's getting worse by the minute. Paqueta scores his first goal of the tournament and eighth for his national team as on the counter, Vini lifts up a ball into the box that he places with the inside of the foot into the left side of the goal.

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The third goal

Just look at this. Richarlison starts it with multiple headers and finishes it off with a delightful shot to the goalkeeper's right to make it 3-0. It's too easy now.

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3-0 to Brazil! 

Richarlison! Golazo! This game is done! It's 3-0 to the favorites and it's getting ugly now.

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Almost from Korea!

Hwang Hee-chan rifles a curler from about 25 yards out that is saved well by Allison! 

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Goal! It's 2-0 to Brazil! 

Neymar, as expected, finishes the penalty with ease, and it's 2-0 to the Brazilians! He takes his time to actually shoot it, with the Korea goalkeeper all over the place, and he finishes with a soft touch to his right!

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Penalty to Brazil!

Richarlison is taken down in the box on a clearance, and the penalty is given! Neymar to take. What a chance to go up 2-0 less than 15 minutes in and put this one to bed.

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Goal Brazil! Fast start!

It's 1-0 to the Brazilians! Seven minutes in, Vinicius Jr. finds the net! Raphinha was massive on the play with some slick skill before recovering the ball and sending it into the box where it falls to Vini, who settles and places it to the far post with calmness. A perfect start!

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Underway!!!!

The match has begun!

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Winner faces Croatia

Croatia got by Japan in penalty kicks and will face the winner of this one. Japan converted just one of four penalties on the day in what was a wasteful display as Croatia advance to the quarters in back-to-back tourneys. Winning in extra time means Croatia still have yet to win a knockout stage game in regulation since the 1998 World Cup.

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Having Kim Min-Jae back is huge for Korea

The Napoli center back missed the Uruguay win with an injury but said in the lead-up that he was willing to risk more of an injury just to play in this game. It sure seems like it as he's in the starting lineup. He's been one of the best center backs in Serie A this season and is needed for them to have any chance against Brazil. He's big, plays smart and can shut down any attack when he is at his best.

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What to make of Brazil

A strong XI as expected. We see Paqueta once again start in the middle with Casemiro as three attackers are above them with Richarlison in attack. That's a potent group capable of scoring multiple. They saw against Cameroon what can happen when you aren't at your best, and they are throwing everything at South Korea, who get Kim Min-Jae back which is a huge boost.

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Team news: Neymar starts!

Brazil XI: Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Paquetá, Casemiro; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius; Richarlison. 

South Korea XI: Seung-Gyu; Jin-Su, Kim Min-Jae, Woo-Young, Moon-Hwan; Young-Gwon, Hwang Inbeom, Jae-Sung; Hwang Hee-Chan, Cho Gue-Sung, Son.

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Storylines

Brazil: The big news ahead of this one is that manager Tite has declared Neymar as fit to play. He missed the last two games due to an ankle injury that he picked up in the opener. But it's not all great in the Brazil camp with Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles out for the remainder of the competition, with the former reportedly set to miss up to three months. 

South Korea: They are full of confidence after beating Portugal on a late goal to enter the round of 16, and they have absolutely nothing to lose, which is dangerous. But it's hard to envision them being able to win this game without Kim Min-Jae. The start center back has a calf injury and missed the Portugal game, but he's determined to play no matter what, even if it means getting further hurt. 

"They all did well but now we need even more. I was sorry not to be on the pitch. It was difficult to watch from the bench, but the injury I suffered didn't allow me to be at 100%, so in such an important game we felt it was better not to risk it," he said after the win against Portugal.

"I want to do everything to be there, I'm ready to play even at the cost of getting more seriously injured."

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How to watch and odds

  • Date: Monday, Dec. 5 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
  • Location: Stadium 974 -- Doha, Qatar
  • TV: Fox and Telemundo | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
  • Odds: Brazil -400; Draw +400; South Korea +1200 (via Caesars Sportsbook) 
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Welcome in!

Welcome to the CBS Sports live blog of the World Cup! It's Brazil vs. South Korea in the round of 16 at 2 p.m. ET! We still don't know who the winner of this game will play as Japan and Croatia are still going at it, currently 1-1 in extra time with penalty kicks just six minutes away. Team news for this game will be out shortly with all eyes on whether Neymar gets this start in his return from an ankle injury.