Willian and Douglas Costa inspire Brazil to victory over Peru

Brazil’s 3-0 win over Peru in Salvador came as no big surprise. Peru have not won in Brazil for a shade over 30 years and have only ever beaten the Seleção three times in their history. Dunga made some changes to his attack, with Santos pair Ricardo Oliveira and Lucas Lima making way for Douglas […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-11-18 14:11:00

Brazil’s 3-0 win over Peru in Salvador came as no big surprise. Peru have not won in Brazil for a shade over 30 years and have only ever beaten the Seleção three times in their history. Dunga made some changes to his attack, with Santos pair Ricardo Oliveira and Lucas Lima making way for Douglas Costa and Renato Augusto. Gil replacing the suspended David Luiz at the heart of the defence was an enforced change. With the persistent rumours that the CBF are keen on replacing Dunga with Tite, there was a hint of irony in the current boss genuflecting Tite’s Corinthians formula, opting for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Timão teammates Renato Augusto and Elias forming the nucleus of the midfield.

Dunga banked on the understanding the pair have forged at club level to make the system work. Renato Augusto and the more combative Elias were charged with controlling the midfield, Luiz Gustavo patrolling behind them. But the thrust of Brazil’s gameplan came from the flanks via the in form Willian and Douglas Costa, with Neymar operating as a false 9. However, there were teething difficulties in the first thirty minutes or so. The game was fairly even, with Peru offering plenty of threat on the counter. Twice Alisson, who looked much more assured in goal on this occasion, was forced to field Peruvian efforts at goal. One from range and another, a close range hooked volley from Guerrero.

The new look midfield took time to gel, but it was Brazil’s wingers that slowly began to turn the screw and exert dominance on the contest. The first goal arrived via exactly this avenue. Willian executed his favoured “stop and shuffle” move on the right hand side, gliding past Peruvian left-back Advincula in the process, before drilling a low cross into the area, which Douglas Costa was on hand to bundle home from close range. By now, the Seleção were tightening their grip on proceedings. Willian again provided the spark, but Neymar volleyed his cross over the crossbar. It had not been a vintage first half, but for Brazil, it was enough.

The second half was a much more one sided affair as the home team relaxed into the groove. They extended their lead on 57 minutes, after Costa’s mesmeric dribble saw him toe end the ball to Renato Augusto on the edge of the area and he steered a composed finish into the bottom corner. The Arena Fonte Nova audibly relaxed and Brazil assumed total control. Neymar nearly scored another audacious goal, trapping the ball on his chest before bicycle kicking the ball narrowly over the bar. The captain however, endured another frustrating performance. If anything, the false 9 role seemed to restrict his movement, but there was also a shimmer of petulance.

He was booked after a pair of needless, huffy fouls early in the second half. It is true that some of Peru’s tackling became frantic and the Barcelona man bore the brunt, but he again seemed on the cusp of temper throughout the game, trying to do everything and, in the process, managing to do little. With Costa and Willian running the show, Neymar really ought to have relaxed and enjoyed the service they could provide him, but instead, he seemed determined to produce something more in keeping with his virtuoso brand in Brazilian yellow. He skied three presentable free-kicks over the bar with Chelsea’s Willian, scorer of five direct free kicks already this season, not even allowed to hover over them hopefully.

As an Arsenal fan, it reminded me a little of Thierry Henry in his last two seasons at Arsenal and not in a good way. Brazil have been over dependent on Neymar which, coupled with his ongoing court case, has caused him additional stress, yet he somehow seems to like it that way. Brazil were able to stretch their advantage with a third with thirteen minutes to go. Douglas Costa produced a passable Arjen Robben impression from the right, shifting and shooting from the edge of the area. Peru keeper Penny was only able to turn the shot into the path of Filipe Luis, who pounced for his first Brazil goal.

That Brazil’s left back was in the Peru penalty area, despite the attack building from the right tells you much about Brazil’s dominance at that stage. Dunga had the luxury of making some changes in the final minutes, with Oscar, Lucas Lima and Fernandinho coming into the fray, Peru did threaten again. Guerrero’s powerful shot was well held by Alisson and the same player had a stoppage time effort cleared off the line by Filipe Luis. But now, Brazil have 7 points from four games, with tricky trips to Santiago and Buenos Aires behind them. It’s not been emphatic, but they are on course for qualification.

BRAZIL: 23.ALISSON, 15.DANI ALVES, 3.MIRANDA, 14.GIL, 16.FILIPE LUIS, 17.LUIZ GUSTAVO (5.Fernandinho ’78), 8.ELIAS, 18.RENATO AUGUSTO, 19.WILLIAN (20.Lucas Lima ’89), 7.Douglas COSTA (11.Oscar ’85), 10.NEYMAR (c).

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sambafoot_admin
Nov 17, 2015