Carlo Ancelotti’s repeated message for hard work and commitment from his Brazil side paid off today as they hammered South Korea 5-0.
Ancelotti has not found it easy early in his Brazil tenure, winning two of four games and struggling to settle on a formation.
But they looked a far more cohesive unit in Seoul with Willian Estevao and Rodrygo both scoring twice to add to a goal from Vinicius Jr as the hosts were swatted aside.
“I’m very satisfied with the team’s performance,” said Ancelotti. “Obviously, if you have a strong base, with a solid defense, the individual quality in attack appears.
“Rodrygo played a very good match, Estêvão too. In attack, the team has a lot of variety, a lot of offensive solutions, and today we took advantage of the individual quality of these players.
“It was a complete team performance. I think we played very well with and without the ball. The team’s commitment was very good. When the team has commitment in the game then the quality comes out and it came out very well today.”
First goal was key to Brazil win – Ancelotti
Estevao, 18, opened the scoring at the end of a sensational move that started deep in Brazil’s own half and ended with him finishing a fine pass from Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
“The key to the game was the first goal, because Korea started trying to defend with a middle block, putting pressure on our defence,” added Italian Ancelotti. “Estêvão’s first goal opened Korea’s defence a little, and then we had an easier time controlling the game in the attack.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve been talking about collective commitment. This is a platform and then when the team has this platform, we have a lot of possibilities to do things very well.”
Son struggles along with South Korea
Real Madrid winger Rodrygo cut inside to rattle in a second before the break, with Estevao then nicking the ball of a defender to make it 3-0.
High pressing from Brazil also saw them win the ball back for a fourth goal, Vinicius Jr laying in Rodrygo for a simple second.
South Korea captain Son Heung-min played just over an hour before being replaced but his side were well off it, managing just one shot on target.
Vini Jr then got in on the act himself, running clear from the halfway line to slot in.
Brazil remain in the Far East for their next game, a friendly with Japan at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium on Tuesday.
