Goals: Brazil—Neymar 20’, 60’ - Kaya (own goal) 24’ - Willian 44’
Recap: Ninety minutes of inspired football saw Brazil capture a 4-0 victory over Turkey on Wednesday.
An inch-perfect through-ball from Fernandinho allowed Neymar to open the affair in the 20th minute. Turkey's Semih Kaya did the hosts zero favors just four minutes later, as the defender chested a ball past goalkeeper Volkan Demirel. Willian built an insurmountable 3-0 lead in the dying seconds of the first half, polishing off an assist created by Neymar’s individual flair.
The Barcelona man once again proved to be influential, sealing the 4-0 victory in the second half.
Key Moment: It’s one thing to plead to the official for assistance after being beat on an offside trap, it’s another to not even attempt to save a shot on goal. That was the case in the match’s opening strike. Timing his run perfectly, Neymar was able to create a one-on-one opportunity with Demirel. The 33-year-old, bewildered by a lapse from his back line, provided zero effort. Brazil opened the affair with his feet fastened to the turf.
Man of the Match: Brazil is still heavily reliant on Neymar. The 22-year-old lifted his nation once more, finishing with two goals and an assist.
Lesson Learned: Dunga’s approach to the game isn’t as aesthetic as Brazilians remember it, but it’s proven to be effective. Since being appointed as head coach, the Brazilian has spearheaded five comprehensive victories over Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Japan and now Turkey. Perhaps even more impressive, the team hasn’t conceded a goal in either contest, outscoring the opposition 12-0 in the process. It’s that kind of defensive discipline that was needed during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Up Next: Turkey hosts Kazakhstan on Nov. 16, while Brazil travels to Austria on Nov. 18.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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