Brazil’s national team showed exactly what fans wanted to see in Seoul: organization, intensity, and an attack that clicks. The 5-0 win over South Korea was proof of progress under Carlo Ancelotti. Estêvão and Rodrygo each scored twice, and Vinicius Jr. added the fifth in a friendly that, even without points on the line, reignited excitement around a team preparing for the 2026 World Cup.
You might think, sure, but it’s South Korea. Yes, but Brazil hasn’t been convincing in recent qualifiers and has even struggled against weaker sides, so this result matters.
Control and execution from start to finish
The game had a clear owner from the first minute. Brazil dictated the pace, moved the ball quickly, and pressed high. Bruno Guimarães delivered a perfect pass to Estêvão, who finished first-time to open the scoring. It was the kind of move that summed up what Ancelotti has been asking for: coordinated movement and quick decision-making. Soon after, Vinicius Jr. created down the left and, after some clever buildup, Casemiro found Rodrygo free to double the lead. By the 20-minute mark, it already looked like a rout.
The pace never dropped, even with the lead. Ancelotti lined up four forwards, but the team stayed balanced. The midfield kept control, the defense handled transitions well, and Brazil looked sharp.
In the second half, nothing changed. Estêvão capitalized on a mistake by Kim Min-Jae, stole the ball, and fired a low curler into the far corner. Minutes later, Rodrygo struck again after a sequence that began with Casemiro and Vinicius Jr. The final goal came on the break, with Vini bursting down the left and calmly finishing to seal the scoreline.
The friendly in Seoul highlighted an emerging pattern: Brazil’s new generation is taking charge. Estêvão, still at the start of his career, showed confidence and intelligence beyond his age. Rodrygo, more mature now, took responsibility and, most importantly, looked like himself again. Vinicius Jr., in peak form with Real Madrid, played in a more central role and was directly involved in three goals. Beyond that, Brazil’s performance sent a quiet message back to Madrid: Rodrygo and Vini can, in fact, play together.
A friendly that changes the mood
The win over South Korea was Brazil’s biggest since 2020, when it also beat Bolivia 5-0. More than a statistic, it was a reset in confidence. Ancelotti has been preaching intensity, compactness, and quick decisions and this time, everything clicked.
It’s still too early for wild excitement, but the signs are encouraging. Brazil looked dominant not only technically but mentally. The next test comes on Tuesday (14) against Japan in Tokyo. Another friendly, same mission: keep the standard high.