Brazil Plays Like Brazil and Scores 5 Against Ecuador

By: Bruno Romani | October 18th, 2007

This is why Brazil has to play in Brazil. Forget fancy stadiums in Europe and Asia. To play like Brazil, Brazil has to play IN Brazil. Seven years later, the national team returned to the Maracanã, stadium blessed by geniuses from the past like Pelé, Garrincha, Zico and Romário. And the stadium and the 80 thousand fans chanting watched a squad playing with grace and flair that only the yellow jersey has.

The first-half started slow, as if the time distant from Brazil and the stadium made the players numb to all the heat and passion. The sound of unsatisfaction started to be heard before the 20th mark. But Robinho passed the ball touching under it. Maicon touched the ball to one side and run to the other, leaving behind easily a defender. He crossed to Vágner Love score and make Maracanã explode in happiness.

The second-half started the same way. Brazil started slow, but progressively chances started to happen. Chances were missed. And the 1-0 started to look pale. When the second-half reached its half, Kaká fired it from very far and Ronaldinho deflected the ball to score the second. The only question was if it was done in purpose. I believe it was. Maracanã beat like a yellow and green heart. The best was to come

Kaká, again, tried from very far. And this time he scored a beautiful goal, with the ball making an amazing curve. The geniuses from the past smiled. And the fans chanted, “The best of the world.” Kaká never felt that close to that title of the best footballer on the earth. The night could’ve stopped there. It could.

38 minutes. Ronaldinho is on the right and tries a long pass to Juan who was inside the box. The defender passed the ball using his chest to Robinho, who was on the left. And the Robinho wasn’t Robinho anymore. He was Garrincha. The feet passing very fast over the ball. The defender was hypnotized. Robinho runs and the impression is that he was going to cross using his heel. But Robinho tricked the defender and the fans and stopped again. Poor De LaCruz. In a space too small to two bodies, Robinho passed again. The sound of Maracanã could not be louder. Robinho crossed it and Elano end up with the ball. The fourth goal. A goal that is already part of the history of the stadium and of Brazilian football. Brazil was Brazil again.

The psychological effect of two amazing goals in such a short-time was heavy on Ecuador. So heavy that if they could escape the match and run to the dressing-room they would’ve done it. But they could not escape. And Kaká tried from far again. This time the shot was weak, very easy to save it. But the keeper just let it in. A fifth goal that not even Kaká saw it. He looked to the goalie as if thinking “let the poor guy go. He had it already.” Kaká felt bad for scoring that goal. Only him. For the stadium that was reason or more noise, chants, and smiles. Brazil played like Brazil again.

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