Was their dancing too much? The team’s extravagant celebrations while beating South Korea delighted their fans, but have brought accusations of unsporting behaviour.
Anger over 'cocky and arrogant' Brazil
Was their dancing too much? The team's extravagant celebrations while beating South Korea delighted their fans, but have brought accusations of unsporting behaviour.
Brazil's performance was brilliant. Just six minutes in, Casemiro crossed the ball to Vinicius Junior, who slotted it past the South Korean keeper. Six minutes later, Neymar scored the coolest of penalties.
Next, it was Richarlison's turn, as he controlled the ball under pressure, passed it and raced into the penalty area to claim Brazil's third. Then Vinicius Junior chipped the ball over the Korean defence for Lucas Paqueta to volley home: 4-0!
Brazil certainly deserved to celebrate. What some people disliked was how they did it.
They danced in a group by the corner flag. They danced on their own. The team's manager and the substitutes joined in. Paqueta led his team mates in a neck-waggling chicken dance.
Then, at half time, they danced down the tunnel.
Their fans were delighted to join in the fun. But one commentator was not happy.
"I've never seen so much dancing," said the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane. "I can't believe what I'm watching.
"I don't like this. People say it's their culture, but I think that's really disrespecting the opposition."
The Brazilian manager was quick to defend his players. "There's no interpretation other than happiness at the goal," he said.
One football writer tweeted that "Brazil's football so often brings joy to the World Cup... anyone having a problem with Brazil's dancing is just a kill-joy."
"For me, it's not the dancing per seA Latin term which means "by, in or of itself". but the time it took," said one Twitter user. "All while the Koreans are stood there waiting for kick-off, feeling gutted."
In many other sports, most football celebrations would be thought over the top. Cricketers do not pile on top of each other after taking a wicket. A tennis player is always quick to shake a defeated rival's hand.
Was Brazil's dancing too much?
Yes: Sporting behaviour involves acknowledging your opponents' performance and feelings, not taunting them. South Korea scored a goal just as good as the Brazilians' and deserved more respect.
No: We are all used to seeing goal scorers sliding into a corner and their team mates piling in on top of them. The Brazilian celebrations were no worse than that - just a good deal more artistic.
Or... There should be a time limit on celebrations. If they last more than a minute, the other team should have the choice of adding that time to the end of the game, or subtracting it if they prefer.
Keywords
Per se - A Latin term which means "by, in or of itself".
Anger over ‘cocky and arrogant’ Brazil
Glossary
Per se - A Latin term which means "by, in or of itself".