When Rodrygo Goes, forward of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol and Vinícius Júnior, fellow Real Madrid forward, stepped onto the pitch in Seoul, the atmosphere felt electric – Brazil was finally back with two of its brightest attacking talents after months on the sidelines.
The South Korea friendly on October 10, 2025, was the first of two Asian tests announced by head coach Carlo Ancelotti, also manager of the Brazil national football team. Four days later the Seleção would travel to Tokyo to face the Japan national team, a match scheduled for October 14 at the Japan National Stadium.
Why the squad reshuffle mattered
Brazil entered the October window with a bruised lineup. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior was ruled out with a left‑thigh tear that doctors say won’t heal before early November, while Alisson Becker, Marquinhos and Raphaël Dias Belloli (Raphinha) missed out due to various injuries.
That opened a spot for Rodrygo, who hadn’t worn the yellow shirt since a 4‑1 loss to Argentina on March 25, 2025, and for Vinícius, who was omitted from the September World Cup qualifying squad. Their return signaled a shift: Ancelotti wanted to test depth ahead of the 2026 qualifiers and to give the injured stars a breather.
South Korea showdown – a 5‑0 thriller
During Brazil vs South Korea friendlySeoul World Cup Stadium, the Seleção blew the visitors away. Brazil struck first in the 12th minute, but the game really opened up after the half‑hour mark.
Estevão Willian netted a brace, and Rodrygo added two more – his first international goals – while Vinícius capped the night with a cool finish in the 78th minute. The final whistle read 5‑0, a scoreline that left the South Korean crowd stunned and the Brazilian bench buzzing.
Post‑match, Rodrygo told reporters: “It felt like an eternity being away from the national team. Finally getting my head straight and showing what I can do for the Seleção is amazing.” He also praised Ancelotti, noting the coach’s aura adds “greater credibility” when the opponent sees a manager of his stature on the sidelines.
Tokyo awaits – what to expect against Japan
The Japan friendly is shaping up to be a tactical chess match. Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, favors a high‑pressing 4‑2-3‑1 that could test Brazil’s backline, especially with the likes of Éder Gabriel Militão only just returning from a knee injury.
Analysts expect Brazil to keep the 4‑3‑3 formation that worked in Seoul, with Vinícius cutting in from the left, Rodrygo providing pace on the right, and Gabriel Martinelli supporting as a secondary striker. If the trio repeats their Seoul chemistry, a double‑digit goal haul isn’t out of the question.
Injuries and the ever‑shifting roster
Besides the high‑profile absences, Brazil also had to manage a slew of minor niggles. Goalkeeper Bento (Club Athletico Paranaense) earned his first senior call‑up, while Wesley of FC Porto was a surprise inclusion on the left flank.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid in particular saw a record twelve players on international duty across eight nations – a testament to the club’s global reach but also a logistical headache. The Spanish giants fielded Mbappé for France, Courtois for Belgium and, of course, Vinícius and Rodrygo for Brazil. Their combined minutes this week helped keep match fitness high but risked fatigue ahead of La Liga’s crucial October fixtures.
What the friendlies mean for Brazil’s World Cup road
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the friendlies serve two purposes: fine‑tuning the starting eleven and gauging depth. Ancelotti admitted after the Seoul game that “many of these players will be at the World Cup, but this list also takes into account recent injuries.” The message is clear – if Neymar isn’t fit by November, the coach already has a proven alternative in Rodrygo and Vinícius.
Fans and pundits alike are watching whether the 5‑0 drubbing translates into a psychological edge for the upcoming South American qualifiers. The last thing Brazil wants is a surprise loss that could jeopardise a top‑seed finish.
Key takeaways
- Rodrygo and Vinícius returned to the Brazil squad after months out, scoring three of five goals in Seoul.
- Brazil beat South Korea 5‑0; the match showcased the attacking depth beyond Neymar.
- Injuries forced the exclusion of Neymar, Alisson, Marquinhos and Raphinha, prompting younger players to step up.
- The Tokyo friendly will test Brazil’s defensive organization under Ancelotti’s 4‑3‑3 system.
- Performance in Asia will heavily influence squad selections for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Neymar's injury affect Brazil's attacking options?
With Neymar sidelined until at least November, Brazil relies on Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior and Gabriel Martinelli to provide pace and creativity. The recent 5‑0 win shows the trio can produce goals, but the team still misses Neymar’s play‑making nuance, especially in tight matches.
What are the chances Brazil will field a different lineup against Japan?
Coach Ancelotti hinted at rotation to protect players returning from injury. Expect a back‑four featuring Militão, Gabriel Magalhães, and possibly a debut for Douglas Santos, while the front line will likely keep Vinícius and Rodrygo together.
Why did Real Madrid have so many players on international duty this month?
Real Madrid’s squad is heavily international – nine of the club’s players were called up for Brazil, France, Belgium, Turkey, Austria, Argentina and Morocco. The club’s recent success in domestic and European competitions has boosted its players’ profiles, leading to more call‑ups during the October FIFA window.
When does Brazil start its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign?
The South American qualifying round kicks off on March 23, 2026, with Brazil facing Bolivia in their opening match. The friendlies in Seoul and Tokyo are meant to finalize tactics and assess squad depth before that date.
How did the South Korean fans react to Brazil's 5‑0 victory?
Despite the loss, many South Korean supporters praised Brazil’s attacking flair and called for their own team to adopt a more aggressive style. Local media highlighted the need for tactical adjustments ahead of upcoming Asian qualifiers.
Mike Laidman
October 11, 2025 AT 03:40Rodrygo and Vinícius contributed decisively to Brazil's 5‑0 victory in Seoul.
J T
October 11, 2025 AT 09:13Man, those two lit up the pitch-what a show! 😎
A Lina
October 11, 2025 AT 14:47The tactical deployment of a 4‑3‑3 formation by Ancelotti maximized spatial insulation for the wingers, allowing Rodrygo to exploit half‑spaces with diagonal runs.
Vinícius, operating on the left flank, leveraged his dribble success rate above 78%, creating overloads that forced the Korean back line into a high‑press dilemma.
Statistical models indicate that the expected goals (xG) generated from these wide channels exceeded 1.2 per half, underscoring their efficiency.
Meanwhile, the central midfield trio maintained a vertical passing cadence of 7.4 passes per minute, facilitating quick transitions.
Defensively, the compactness between Militao and Gabriel Magalhães reduced the opponent’s high‑press success ratio to under 55%.
Rodrygo's off‑the‑ball movement exhibited a net displacement of 12.5 meters per sequence, a metric comparable to elite wingers in the Champions League.
The synergy between the two Real Madrid forwards also manifested in positional interchanges, confusing the Korean defensive marking system.
Moreover, the dual‑striker setup allowed for a 2‑0.6 ratio of shots on target per 10 minutes, reflecting a high conversion potential.
From a physiological perspective, both players maintained a heart‑rate zone conducive to sustained sprint bursts, evidencing superior conditioning.
In terms of set‑piece dynamics, Brazil’s dead‑ball routines were diversified, yet the ultimate goal tally derived from open play, indicating fluid attacking patterns.
The seamless integration of Rodrygo after a prolonged absence demonstrates the depth of Brazil’s talent pool, mitigating the impact of Neymar’s injury.
Vinícius's finishing precision, measured at 0.31 goals per 90 minutes in the match, aligns with his historical conversion rates at club level.
Crucially, the opposition's defensive line struggled to maintain a cohesive line depth, resulting in a mean line distance of 21.4 meters, well above optimal compactness.
The cumulative effect of these variables produced a dominant performance that extends beyond mere goal margin, reflecting a strategic evolution under Ancelotti.
Future fixtures, particularly against Japan, will test whether this tactical blueprint can be replicated against a high‑pressing side.
Virginia Balseiro
October 11, 2025 AT 20:20Wow, what a night! The energy in Seoul was electric, and those two youngsters turned it into a fireworks display.
Rodrygo's two goals felt like a personal comeback story, and Vinícius capped it off with that silky finish.
I can already picture the soundtrack of the next match – pure adrenaline.
Jared Mulconry
October 12, 2025 AT 01:53I think the result shows Brazil's depth is solid even without their biggest stars.
The lineup felt balanced, and the midfield kept things stable.
Looking forward to seeing how they handle Japan's press.
Brandon Rosso
October 12, 2025 AT 07:27Indeed, the performance was a testament to the squad's resilience and the coach's strategic foresight.
Rodrygo and Vinícius demonstrated both flair and professionalism, igniting optimism for the upcoming qualifiers.
Their integration appears seamless, suggesting a promising trajectory for Brazil's offensive arsenal.
Such a convincing victory bodes well for morale and tactical confidence.
Tracee Dunblazier
October 12, 2025 AT 13:00The match was impressive, though the prose could have highlighted the defensive lapses a bit more.
Edward Garza
October 12, 2025 AT 18:33Another friendly win, nothing groundbreaking.
Allen Rodi
October 13, 2025 AT 00:07From a coaching perspective, the 5‑0 scoreline offers several teaching points.
First, the high‑tempo pressing applied by Brazil forced Korea into a low‑block, creating space behind their defensive line.
Second, the quick recycling of possession-averaging 28 passes per possession-allowed the forwards to exploit transitional moments.
Third, the wide players' off‑the‑ball runs stretched the opposition horizontally, opening channels for midfield runners.
These patterns are worth replicating against Japan, who favour a compact press.
Additionally, the defensive unit's coordination, especially between Militao and Gabriel, limited counter‑attack threats, which is crucial when facing technically proficient teams.
Fabian Rademacher
October 13, 2025 AT 05:40Ever notice how these friendlies always line up with the big clubs' calendar?
Probably a hidden agenda to keep certain players fresh for sponsorship deals.
Just saying.
Terrell Mack
October 13, 2025 AT 11:13Great job by the lads, especially the youngsters stepping up.
Coach Ancelotti should keep this momentum as they head into the qualifiers.
Confidence will be key.
Dawn Waller
October 13, 2025 AT 16:47Oh, look, another 5‑0, how utterly unexpected!!!, right? ;)
Lois Parker
October 13, 2025 AT 22:20Nice win but let's not get carried away.
Lerato Mamaila
October 14, 2025 AT 03:53Indeed, the performance reflects the cultural pride of Brazil, and it's wonderful to see such talent on display.
May the spirit of the game continue to unite fans across continents.
Dennis Lohmann
October 14, 2025 AT 09:27Well done, Brazil! Keep the positivity flowing 😊