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Football London
Football London
Sport
James Quinlan & Tom Coley

Roy Keane slams Brazil stars for World Cup 'disrespect' after Neymar, Richarlison and Tite move

Roy Keane was one of the few people in Qatar that didn't seem to like Brazil's enjoyment of their very own carnival of football. The South American side didn't just race to a 4-0 lead at the break, they danced there, both metaphorically and literally.

Goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta laid down a marker that will have the tentative eyes of England, France, Argentina and other potential quarter-finalists all filling with fear slightly.

It was Brazil of the highest order; 1970s Brazil but with quicker athletes on a better pitch doing slicker things. It was Brazil from the 'it's like watching Brazil' talk. This was the barometer for football to be judged on, and they knew it.

READ MORE: Why Raheem Sterling didn't play for England vs Senegal in World Cup round of 16 clash

It would have been tough not to enjoy it, unless you were a South Korean watching Qatar 2022 dreams evaporate so quickly in front of them. Such was the cutting edge simplicity and freedom in which Tite's side waltzed through and shimmied balls into the goal.

Their unbridled but expected joy was clear after each strike. First came a dance celebration; then they danced to mark the goal; Richarlison scored and everyone danced - even Tite - and Paqueta got in on the act, then danced some more. Strictly Come Dancing jokes were made, but Brazil kept going.

It was an expression of footballing ideology in choreographed fun, but not everyone found it appealing. Speaking in the ITV studio at half-time, Keane greeted the samba sets just like you'd image. "I can’t believe what I’m watching really," he started. "Brilliant, brilliant from Brazil, fantastic start to the game, South Korea all over the place.

"I’ve never seen so much dancing - it’s like watching Strictly! Can’t believe what I’m watching, I really can’t. South Korea, my goodness, I can’t believe what I’m watching."

But when the pundits delved further into their analysis, Keane revealed his displeasure at the scenes.

"I don’t like this," he added. "[There is] a point about culture, I get that, but I think it’s disrespecting the opposition.

"It’s four and they’re doing it every time. I don’t mind the first kind of little jig - whatever they’re doing - but they’re still doing it after that, and then the manager [Tite] getting involved with it. I’m not happy with it, I don’t think it’s very good at all."

Ally McCoist could not have seen things more differently, and loved the plans, saying on commentary after Vinicius Jr's opener: "They’ve been working on that! They must have been fairly confident they were going to score this evening."

Brazil are through to the quarter finals where they'll play 2018 runners up Croatia, where Luka Modric and Co. will be hoping to end the party atmosphere for Neymar's side.

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