Brazil dispenses with dance routine after Neymar's extra time goal

Roy Keane will be pleased! Brazilian stars dispense with dance routine as they celebrate scoring Neymar’s extra time quarter final goal (before crashing out on penalties)

  • Brazil dispensed with their flamboyant celebrations as they lost to Croatia today
  • Even held themselves back as Neymar scored a goal in extra-time, after the team was criticised last week for their over-the-top celebrations against South Korea
  • Pundit Roy Keane said he thought dancing after every goal was disrespectful 

Brazil dispensed with their enthusiastic dance routine today as Neymar scored his extra time goal against Croatia after criticism of the team’s flamboyant celebrations in their match against South Korea.

The quarter final was as a tight contest, with neither team appearing to have the upper hand. It headed into extra time after a goalless first 90 minutes but just before half time Neymar managed to find a way through the Croatian defence and punt it into the top of the goal.

And while the Brazilian team looked delighted at what, at the time, appeared to be a decisive goal, they held back the dance moves which had generated criticism last week, especially from pundit Roy Keane. 

After the clinical demolition job of South Korea in the last 16, with Brazil cruising to a 4-1 victory, many fans had expected a similar potent performance from the world number ones.

But Croatia soon scored an equaliser and took today’s prize for over-exuberant celebrations, with Bruno Petkovic getting booked for taking off his shirt.

The goal resulted in the first quarter final being decided by a penalty shoot out, which was decisively won by Croatia 4-2.

Brazil dispensed with their enthusiastic dance routine today as Neymar scored his extra time goal against Croatia

The team’s flamboyant celebrations in their match against South Korea generated criticism last week, especially from pundit Roy Keane (pictured) 

Lucas Paqueta looks dejected during the first half of Brazil’s World Cup quarter final clash with Croatia at the Education City Stadium

It was a huge contrast compared to Brazil demolition of South Korea in the last 16 on December 5 where players performed a dance routine after every goal, pictured

The Brazilians have come under fire for their ‘disrespectful’ goal celebrations during the tournament, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane blasting their moves during the match against the Koreans.

‘I don’t like this,’ he said on ITV Sport. ‘People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition. It’s four goals, and they are doing it every time.

‘I don’t mind so much the first jig, it’s the one after that, and the manager getting involved. I’m not happy about it. I don’t think it’s good at all.’

And today fans poked fun at the Brazilians’ inability during the opening half to hit the back of the net, as players held their head in their hands in dismay.  

One said: ‘I’m starting to think Brazil actually spent the entire break practicing their dances rather than planning against Croatia.’

There were chances, like this one from Brazilian midfield Casemiro, but none of Brazil’s efforts during the first 75 minutes hit the back of the net

It was a thought echoed by another user on Twitter, who added: ‘It feels like Brazil has been too busy studying their next dance routines instead of focusing on the actual  game.’

Others were even harsher, with one football fan saying: ‘I hope #Brazil get hammered 4-0 & Croatia do a whole dance routine for every goal.’ 

And another said: ‘Hope they lose, and see their little dance then. They are an embarrassment to be wearing the Brazil shirt and could hold a candle to the past Brazil sides – the sides from 1970 and 1982 just to name two.’

Brazil have won the World Cup five times – but they have not managed to get past the quarter final stage in three of four of their last appearances at the tournament. 

The showing tonight was far from the display put on by the Brazilians on Monday when their silky skills on the pitch led to joyous celebrations after each goal bagged at Stadium 974 in Qatar.

Flashback: Brazil’s dancing for every goal in their World Cup win over South Korea has been a talking point

The South Americans showed their dancing feet during their thumping 4-1 win in the last 16

With each strike that hit the back of South Korea goal, another flamboyant dance move occurred.

Vinicius Jr’s goal was inspired by a song that is proving popular on TikTok in Brazil called Pagodao do Birimbola. The dance to the song by Os Quebradeiras had already been performed by the in-form winger during the group stages – however, it proved in vain as his goal against Switzerland was ruled out for offside.

The second goal celebration was a thing of true choreography by Tite’s side. After Neymar tucked away a penalty, he Vinicius Jr, Paqueta and Raphinha lined up to dance.

The quartet danced to Oz Crias da Selecao – a song by Oz Crias and DJ LC da Roca.

And it has since been revealed that the song wasn’t initially even going to be released ahead of the World Cup. Alas it was and West Ham midfielder Paqueta told Oz Crias that he intended to dance to that song after hearing it – which was evidenced by Neymar’s goal.

Vinicius Jr’s (left) goal celebration to Pagodao do Birimbola was joined by his team-mates 

Brazil’s second, scored by Neymar (right), saw players dance to the song Oz Crias da Selecao

Richarlison’s celebration has been seen before and stems from a funk song called Danca do pigeon (Dance of the Pigeon) by an artist called MC Faisca.

Fast forward to 2018 and the song hit a second surge in the mainstream when Richarlison recorded a video of himself listening to the song and imitating a pigeon in a hotel room.

Then at Everton, it became his trademark as he started scoring goals for the Toffees. His success at international level has seen Brazil fans become familiar with that celebration – including boss Tite who also did his own imitation of the celebration on Monday alongside his No 9.

And Paqueta got on the scoresheet himself in the 36th minute – defending his dancing post-match.

‘In dance, we symbolise the joy of scoring the goal. We don’t do it to disrespect, we don’t go in front of an opponent.’

Richarlison (centre right) danced like a pigeon with Brazil boss Tite after scoring their third

Lucas Paqueta (right) defended his side’s celebrations – saying it ‘symbolises the joy of scoring’

His remarks were in retort to Roy Keane who was critical of the team dancing during his analysis for ITV.

‘Fantastic finish by Vinicius, great start to the game. But I’ve never seen so much dancing,’ he fumed.

‘I can’t believe what I’m watching, I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s like watching Strictly [Come Dancing].

‘I don’t like this. People say it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition.

‘It’s four goals, and they are doing it every time.

‘I don’t mind so much the first jig, it’s the one after that, and the manager getting involved.

‘I’m not happy about it. I don’t think it’s good at all.’

A fuming Roy Keane likened it all to watching popular BBC dance show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

Graeme Souness was equally as irritated by Brazil’s antics, backing Keane’s furious verdict

Graeme Souness backed Keane’s verdict and was equally as seething at the constant dancing after goals.

‘It’s only a matter of time before someone goes right through one of these Brazilians,’ the Scot said.

Keane has since come under-fire in Brazil – with the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain being blasted for his own football career and punditry abilities.

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