MAN OF THE MATCH
NEYMAR
AS nutmegs go, there have probably been few at Wembley more predictable.
To a whoop from all shades in the stadium, Neymar (below) was around the back of Jake Livermore before England’s honest grafter could draw breath.
It was a snapshot of why Brazil remain the grandest draw in international football, an impudent token of fabled flair.
And, more than likely, it was what another huge Wembley crowd had come to see.
This is what natural talent can do. Captivate the neutral and momentarily convert the biased.
There were many more moments that fleetingly mesmerised – a volleyed, heeled pass from Marcelo there, a quick-footed Philippe Coutinho scamper here.
In many aspects, this was a Brazilian exhibition.
For those not familiar with the term, a Rondo is a practice session that involves one or two players in the middle of a circle of many more players, trying to intercept the quick passes. You know the one. The Rondo formed the main plank of Brazil’s warm-up at Wembley...and pretty much for the remainder of the night. This was one long Rondo.
Not that Brazil did not take the occasion and the contest seriously. Their build-up to Russia 2018 is intense, competition for places high, and motivation unquestioned.
More than most nations, they have wounds to heal.
Never mind England’s woes at major tournaments. They are par for the course.
Brazil are not without World Cup scars, one of the deepest carved just over three years ago in their own manor.
Semi-final, July 8, 2014, Belo Horizonte. Brazil 1 Germany 7.
England managers of the past have often talked of the cloying pressure, the heavy anchor of expectation, the unreasonable hopes of a nation.
Brazilian managers and players would chuckle at their complaints.
Seriously, England managers and players get a free ride compared to the Brazilians. Not only are they expected to triumph, they are expected to dazzle.
But the days when step-overs – and there was a serious quota here – conquered the world are long gone.
European pragmatism has been the dominant quality in recent World Cup instalments.
There has been only one South American representative in the past three finals, Argentina succumbing to the Germans in extra-time in 2014.
The previous five finals had featured either Brazil or Argentina.
While Brazil might go into next summer’s tournament vying for favouritism alongside Germany, the challenge they face is a considerable one.
Their coach, Tite – pronounced Cheechee, by the way – knows it. He knows work-rate is paramount. He knows pressing is king. Amidst the confetti of trickery and the blizzard of back-flicks, the one striking aspect of Brazil’s contribution to a pleasant but low-key evening was how quickly they retrieved possession. The pressing game is now accepted as the only way forward but it has to be allied to technique and imagination. This Brazilian vintage, despite their inability to break down a splendidly stubborn England, have those qualities in abundance, all over the park. When John Stones comes along, we swoon at a defender who can play from the back. Every one of these Brazilian defenders can play from the back. England got excited at the adventurous, accomplished debut of Ruben Loftus-Cheek on Friday – Brazil have LoftusCheek talent nowhere near the squad. Pulling together all these disparate qualities, mixing style with substance, has always been the thorniest demand for a Brazilian coach. They might not triumph or dazzle on the grandest stage. But Jake Livermore will not be the last person to be mildly embarrassed by this lot.