The goal by Paquetá, who had come off the bench after the break, replacing Firmino, happened moments before Gabriel Jesus was sent off. Brazil had to play from four minutes into the second half with ten men.
Consequently closed, given the Chilean attempt to reach a tie. Tite teams know how to defend themselves, and the Brazilian team sustained the score that made it advance to the semifinals of Copa América.
But the numerical inferiority scenario further exposed the reality of this team. Brazil plays in function of Neymar in a way that exceeds the limit of reasonableness.
While the other eight liners ran to score Chile’s and protect the goal defended by Ederson, the number 10 shirt was waiting for the ball up front. And when she arrived, no one else in yellow appeared on the field but him.
There were plays in which the best option was to pass the ball to a teammate, either looking for a good outcome of the play or to gain time, holding the ball in attack. That nothing.
Neymar’s talent is not in discussion, obviously, nor the option to play for him. But the way things happen on the field is weird.
Even when the Brazilian team has one less, Neymar plays only for Neymar. And the weirdest thing, there is no one who can question the ace, no matter what he does. Nor the technician.
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