Brazil's Neymar channeled Lionel Messi with very rare skill at 2022 World Cup | OneFootball

Neymar had an instant impact upon his Brazil return as the favourites swept past South Korea in the round of 16.

Football fans had been rubbing their hands together at the prospect of seeing Tite’s side at their very best in Qatar this winter, but it was only really in their fourth outing that they truly showed their credentials as the number one candidates to go all the way.

Having topped their group featuring Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, the Selecao avoided the same fate suffered by Portugal against Paulo Bento’s side with an electric start to the first-half.

What happened in Brazil vs South Korea?

Reinvigorated with Neymar back in the team after his injury lay-off, the South Americans romped their way to a 4-0 lead before the half-time whistle had even sounded.

Vinicius Junior got the party started within the opening 10 minutes, before Neymar marked his return with a goal, scoring one of the iciest penalties that the World Cup has ever seen.

Further pulsating strikes from Richarlison and Lucas Paquetá then sealed the rout, ensuring that a second-half belter from Paik Seung-ho would prove to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

Such was the comfort of Brazil‘s performance, in fact, that they easily turned up the entertainment to produce the kind of flicks, tricks and flair for which their nation is known.

What did Neymar do with the referee vs South Korea?

And while the sumptuous moment that Vinicius made football look disgusting easy might have gone viral, a similarly audacious piece of skill by Neymar has actually flown under the radar.

It’s a shame really, because the moment that the most expensive footballer in history used the referee – yes, the referee – to help him beat two Korea stars actually came straight out of the Lionel Messi playbook.

During a strange moment around the centre circle where a pair of Korea players began to press, Neymar, seemingly accidentally, found himself pretty much face to face with the match official.

Most players would have understandably panicked and conceded possession in such a strange situation, but Neymar instead took advantage, essentially using the referee as a smokescreen.

Going from the brink of slapstick comedy to pure Brazilian flair in the space of just a few seconds, Neymar’s ingenuity was eerily similar to a skill by Messi during his Barcelona prime, check it out:

Fan reaction

Clearly the ‘referee dummy’ was a common skill at Camp Nou back in the mid-2010s!

Just as Messi had done against Celta Vigo in 2016 – yes, that game with the pass-penalty – Neymar saw some bizarre positioning from the referee as just yet another chance to prove himself as one of the most skilful players on the planet.

And while it might ultimately have been an inconsequential flash of talent within the context of the game, it nevertheless reiterated that Brazil don’t just win matches, they win matches in style.

Who do Brazil play next?

Having safely progressed to the quarter-finals for the eighth consecutive World Cup, the Selecao will now face off with 2018 finalists Croatia on Friday, December 9 at Education City Stadium.

If they emerge victorious from that particular clash, then they will face one of Argentina or the Netherlands in an all-star semi-final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 13.

The ultimate Neymar quiz

1 of 20

Neymar began his professional career at which club?

Corinthians Internacional Santos Flamengo