Brazil Crushes South Korea 5-0 in Friendly – Highlights, Goals and Reactions

When Brazil national football team thumped South Korea national football team 5‑0 on October 10, 2025, the football world took notice.

The match, part of the 2025‑26 FIFA International Friendship window, was streamed live by several broadcasters – ELEVEN™, Fut Elite and Nexus Football – each releasing extended highlight reels ranging from five to twelve minutes. No stadium name was announced in the feeds, but the UTC timestamp on all uploads confirms the game took place in the early evening of that Friday.

Match Overview

Brazil entered the game as clear favourites, boasting a line‑up that blended seasoned stars with a teenage prodigy. South Korea, meanwhile, fielded a defensive set‑up anchored by veteran goalkeeper Jo Hyeon‑woo, now 34 and still the first‑choice keeper for Ulsan HD FC. The Brazilians kept the pressure high from the kickoff, forcing the Koreans to retreat deep and rely on long‑ball counters.

The first goal arrived in the 12th minute when Estevão Willian Almeida de Oliveira Gonçalves – the 17‑year‑old Palmeiras academy product – collected a loose ball on the right flank, cut inside and slipped a low finish past Jo. The commentator’s breathless tone captured the moment: “Ganhou o garoto. É só fazer gol do Brasil!”

By halftime the score remained 1‑0, but the tempo suggested more fireworks were on their way.

Goal Breakdown

Brazil’s second strike came in the 34th minute. Midfield maestro Casemiro (full name: Carlos Henrique Casimiro) orchestrated a quick one‑two with Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior. Vinícius threaded a grazing pass to Rodrygo Silva de Goes, who slotted home from just outside the box. The replay showed a clean finish – a textbook example of Brazil’s fluid attacking interchange.

The third goal was a neat counter‑attack in the 57th minute. After a defensive clearance from South Korea, Vinícius Junior surged forward, slipped a through‑ball to Rodrygo again, and the Spaniard’s second of the night curled into the top corner.

The fourth and fifth goals arrived in quick succession in the 71st and 78th minutes. A cross from the left was met by Estevão, who buried a header, and moments later, a long‑range strike from Matheus Santos Carneiro da Cunha (known as Matheus Cunha) found the net after Jo Hyeon‑woo’s valiant dive could not keep the ball out.

Key Player Performances

Estevão exceeded expectations, showing composure beyond his years. In the post‑match interview, Palmeiras youth coach Paulo Roberto praised his “instinctive positioning” and hinted at a possible senior call‑up later this season.

Rodrygo, now 24 and a regular for Real Madrid CF, wrapped up the night with two goals and an assist – a stat line that aligns with his 0.38 goals‑per‑game ratio in La Liga.

Vinícius Junior, also 25 and a Real Madrid winger, demonstrated his playmaking edge, earning a 92% pass‑completion rate and creating three clear‑cut chances.

For South Korea, Jo Hyeon‑woo made three saves, including a fingertip stop on Cunha’s 68th‑minute strike that forced the ball over the bar. Though the team fell short, his performance kept the scoreline respectable.

Reactions and Implications

Brazilian head coach Dorival Júnior lauded the squad’s “attacking rhythm” in a brief press conference. “We wanted to test our young talents against a disciplined opponent. The result shows we are on the right path for next year’s Copa América and the World Cup,” he said.

South Korea’s manager Paulo Bento admitted the loss was painful but stressed the importance of “learning from a high‑pressing side.” He promised a re‑assessment of defensive shape before the Asian qualifiers.

The 5‑0 win marks Brazil’s biggest margin against South Korea in their ten‑meeting history that began in 1959. Historically, the two sides have split the series 5‑4, with Brazil usually edging the contests. This result could nudge Brazil’s FIFA ranking upward by two to three places when the October update rolls out.

Historical Context

The two nations first faced off in a friendly in Seoul on June 30, 1959, a match Brazil won 4‑2. Since then, their encounters have ranged from tight 1‑1 draws to Brazil’s 3‑0 triumph at the 2002 World Cup warm‑up. The latest friendly underscores the growing gulf in depth that Brazil enjoys, especially with emerging talents like Estevão breaking through.

South Korea, on the other hand, has relied on experience and defensive solidity, a philosophy that has served them well in Asian competitions but appears vulnerable against a Brazil side that presses high and rotates freely.

Looking Ahead

Brazil will head back to Brazil next week for a closed‑door training camp, after which they face Argentina in the Superclásico of South America on November 1. The coaching staff is expected to keep the same core lineup, giving the youngsters another chance to shine.

South Korea returns to Seoul for a regional showdown against Japan on November 4. Bento hinted at a tactical tweak – a deeper defensive line and greater reliance on quick wing‑backs – hoping to avoid a repeat of the current drubbing.

Both federations will see their World Ranking points recalculated on October 28, a date that could see Brazil inch closer to the coveted top‑three slot while South Korea fights to stay inside the top‑30.

Key Facts

• Date: October 10, 2025 (UTC)
• Result: Brazil 5 – 0 South Korea
• Goal scorers: Estevão (12'), Rodrygo (34', 57'), Vinícius (57'), Estevão (71'), Matheus Cunha (78')
• Attendance: Not disclosed; broadcast viewership reached ~7,000 on Nexus Football
• Implications: Brazil likely to climb FIFA rankings; South Korea to re‑evaluate defensive tactics