3. Neymar’s antics overshadow his football
Brazil’s football fanatic fans demand flair and there is little doubt that Neymar, the country’s fifth highest goal scorer provides most of it in this side. But while his talent has never been in doubt, the way he conducts himself on the pitch is something that Dunga needs to address.
Although he was the Selecao’s most-potent threat going forward, his petulance was akin to a kid throwing out his toys when he doesn’t get what he wants. While there is little doubt that Neymar is fouled often, that is certainly no excuse to fling yourself to the ground at every opportunity and demand punishment for the opponent.
While his yellow card for scooping up the spray before taking his free-kick did not matter much in this game, it might come back to bite Brazil later in the tournament. If it seems harsh to criticise Neymar when he single-handedly won the game for his side, the truth is that he needs to mature and understand that there is a lot more to football that just goals.
4. Peru are no pushovers
Despite being ranked 56 places below Brazil and having never beaten them in 11 previous attempts, Ricardo Gareca’s side came within a few minutes of ending the Selecao’s 10-game winning run. While four quarter-finals and two semi-finals in the last six Copa Americas speaks volumes for their credentials, the current Peru side are unlikely to repeat their third place finish in 2011.
One of the main reasons for that is their lack of defensive solidity, which was exposed time and again by Brazil. Although Los Incas looked threatening when they went forward, their defensive frailties ultimately cost them the game. But that should take nothing away from the fact that Gareca’s side came close to securing a point against the World’s No.5 ranked team in only his third game in charge.
5. Raise a toast for Roberto
It is not often that you finish watching a game and feel that the game’s best performer didn’t score, assist or make any saves or blocks. Yet at the conclusion of the Brazil-Peru game, there could’ve been little doubt as to who the man of the match was. It was none other than the man in the middle, referee Roberto Garcia.
Yet the 40-year-old Mexican, who previously played in his country’s second division showed tremendous understanding of the game as he let it flow at every opportunity. Garcia was not fooled into giving silly free-kicks when the Brazilian players were doing their best to con him into giving one and had one of the best games of his career.
While it is rare that referees are praised for their work, let us take a minute to talk about Garcia’s performance in a game that was full-blooded, filled with tackles, plenty of pathetic playacting and arm waving.