Brazil dismantled South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16 at Stadium 974 during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sealing the result with a four-goal masterclass in the first half. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring early, followed by a Neymar penalty, a clinical finish from Richarlison, and a thunderous volley by Lucas Paquetá before halftime. Paik Seung-ho netted a late consolation long-range strike for South Korea, but Brazil comfortably advanced.
If you missed the live broadcast or want a detailed tactical breakdown of how Tite's squad tore through the Asian side, let's look at the goals, key plays, and defining moments of this knockout fixture.
First Half Goal Blitz
Brazil didn't waste any time establishing dominance. Within the first seven minutes, Raphinha beat his marker down the right flank and whipped a low cross past the defense. The ball fell to Vinícius Júnior, who took a composed touch and lofted it past the goalkeeper into the top right corner.
Minutes later, Richarlison was clipped inside the penalty box by Jung Woo-young. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Neymar, returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him during the group stage, stepped up. He stutter-stepped and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner, putting Brazil up 2-0 in the 13th minute.
The third goal showcased trademark flair. Richarlison juggled the ball on his head three times outside the box before passing to Marquinhos and Thiago Silva, receiving it back in stride to slot past Kim Seung-gyu. The sequence capped off with the team gathering to perform choreographed dance celebrations alongside coach Tite.
Lucas Paquetá added the fourth in the 36th minute, volleying in a cross from Vinícius Júnior with a swift right-footed strike. By halftime, the scoreline sat at 4-0, making Brazil the first team to score four goals in a World Cup knockout first half since Germany in 2014.
Second Half Resistance and Consolidation
With the match effectively out of reach, the second half transformed into an exhibition of game management alongside stubborn resistance from South Korea. Paulo Bento's side refused to roll over, creating several sharp scoring chances.
Alisson Becker was forced into a series of high-difficulty saves. He denied Hwang Hee-chan twice—once from a powerful stinging drive outside the box and later from a close-range angle. South Korea's talisman, Son Heung-min, also broke free on a counterattack early in the half, though his chip drifted just wide of the post.
South Korea's persistence finally paid off in the 76th minute. Following a cleared free-kick, the ball dropped to substitute Paik Seung-ho roughly 30 yards out. He unleashed a blistering, swerving left-footed laser beam that beat Alisson cleanly, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Brazil introduced substitutes like Dani Alves, Gabriel Martinelli, and Rodrygo to see out the remaining minutes. Martinelli tested the defense with probing runs down the left, nearly setting up Alves for an acrobatic bicycle kick. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for the South Americans, setting up a quarterfinal clash against Croatia.
Key Match Statistics
- Possession: Brazil held 54% of possession compared to South Korea's 46%.
- Shots on Target: Brazil registered 9 shots on target out of 18 total attempts, while South Korea managed 6 shots on target out of 8 total attempts.
- Goalkeeping: Alisson Becker recorded 5 crucial saves to preserve the comfortable margin before being subbed off late for backup keeper Weverton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the goals in Brazil vs South Korea 2022?
Brazil scored through Vinícius Júnior (7'), Neymar (13' pen), Richarlison (29'), and Lucas Paquetá (36'). South Korea's lone goal came from Paik Seung-ho (76').
Did Neymar play in this match?
Yes. After missing two group stage matches due to ankle ligament damage sustained against Serbia, Neymar returned to the starting lineup, scored a penalty, and played 80 minutes before being substituted.
Who did Brazil play next after beating South Korea?
Following this win, Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup where they faced Croatia, ultimately getting eliminated on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.
What was the final score of the match?
Brazil defeated South Korea with a final score of 4-1.