World Cup Update: Samba boys destroy Korea to book date with Croatia

Dancing feet! The Brazilians turned the pitch to dancing stage after each of their goals against South Korea on Monday night. Brazil won 4-0. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Croatia continues to prove to be the king of extra time after dumping Japan out of the World Cup on penalties on Monday.

The 2018 finalists had to come back from behind to level matters and force things to extra time with a bomb header from Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic but credit is due to the Japanese side for how they managed the game even into extra time.

It appeared that both sides were looking forward to penalties but the way Japanese players took theirs left too much to be desired. Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic saved three spot kicks to help the Croats into the quarter-final, they will now face Brazil for a spot in the last four.

Brazil tore South Korea apart in fine, yet fierce fashion on Monday night with goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta. Although the 2002 semi-finalists pulled one back in the second half, they were nowhere near the game.

Brazil started off with two quick goals; first, Raphinha danced through the byline and cut back for Vinicius Jr to measure a cool finish before Neymar converted from the spot after Richarlison was brought down in the area.

Great teamwork went through Paqueta, Richarlison, Raphinha, Neymar, and Tiago Silva and landed in the path of Richarlison for the third, and then the Westham midfielder, Paqueta rounded off the scoring with a sleek finish in the first half.

The score line possibly didn’t tell the whole story of the half with the Koreans also troubling Alison in the Brazilian goal but Brazil could also have added more goals with Neymar and Richarlison both coming really close to extending the lead.

South Korea scored a brilliant goal midway into the second half but it was all a tale of damage control as the Brazilians ran out 4-1 winners to set up a date against Croatia in the quarter-finals to be played midday on Friday.