Watching it, I wondered if it wasn’t the worst team I’d ever seen play since 1990. Although, at the World Cup in Italy, the Lazaroni’s team won all three group stage games: Sweden, Costa Rica and Scotland. Then, they lost to Argentina in the round of 16 and were eliminated early. Just like 36 years ago, We have the same mix of mistrust, disbelief and fear of leaving the World Cup early.
Ancelotti started the match against Haiti, in Philadelphia, with only two changes compared to the opening duel against Morocco. Danilo replaced Ibañez and Matheus Cunha replaced Igor Thiago.
Playing blue, the Brazil set a good pace in the first half, had a flash of good football and found the back of the net with Matheus Cunha, twice, and Vinicius Jr. The duo led the national victory by 3-0, provisionally guaranteeing first place in group C and advancing the classification. Morocco beat Scotland 1-0, with a lightning goal from Saibari, two minutes into the match, and are in second.
In numerous moments of the match, Carlo Ancelotti’s team was apathetic, still messy and disjointed. In the second half, the team owed football and managed to suffocate the embattled Haiti. Ederson replaced Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Martinelli replaced Paquetá, Rafinha left the pitch in pain and gave space to the young Rayan, and Endrick, finally activated, took to the field in the 18th minute with the departure of Matheus Cunha. Apparently, the coach’s plan does not foresee the 19-year-old as a starter.
Still unconvincing in the World Cup, the victory came and Neymar, who became the target of the President of the Republic’s joke, of the coaching staff for the match against Scotlandon Wednesday, in Miami, at 7pm. With a new victory, Brazil practically guarantees first place in the group and will have, in the knockout stages, an opponent from group F: Holland, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia take the field this weekend.
I hope that coach Carlo Ancelotti has already carried out all the necessary tests, as the time to find the ideal team is over. Let the World Cup truly begin for the Brazilian team.
2pm – Netherlands x Sweden – Group F – Houston
5pm – Germany x Ivory Coast – Group E – Toronto
9pm – Ecuador x Curaçao – Group E – Kansas City
1am (Sunday) – Tunisia x Japan – Group F – Monterrey
