When оne speаks оf “chаmpiоn” оr “the best” in the cоntext оf men’s internаtiоnаl sоccer, оne wоrԀ frequently cоmes tо minԀ: Brаzil. The Selecао is а fооtbаll-lоving nаtiоn, with plаyers like Neymаr Jr. аnԀ RоnаlԀо Fenоmenо fоllоwing in the fооtsteps оf Zicо аnԀ Pele.

a formidable nation that inspires dread in the hearts of its adversaries.

Those seem so far in the past. The ancient Selecao is long gone. There is no soul to this lineup, no romance in the rhythm of their boots. This team’s style of play lacks any kind of power.

The 0-0 tie between Brazil and Costa Rica on Monday can only be described as dismal. Nobody showed any leadership on the field, no drive, and a serious lack of identity. For a tournament favorite, this was a quiet start.

Undoubtedly, they lost a couple of calls, including an enigmatic VAR ruling. However, those are inconsequential in the greater scheme of things.

The Selecao gave an amateur-hour performance on Monday night. Nobody was worthy enough. Granted, neither Vinicius Jr. nor Rodrygo managed to get a single shot on goal that night, but neither player made up for it.

Although the Selecao has always been headed by players of the highest caliber, the rest of the team is also held to a level that is alarmingly close to that of their superstar players.

Everything about it was disappointing, and Dorival Junior, who recently started working on the touchline, needs to be included in that talk as well.

Game two of the Copa America is now against Paraguay, but Monday’s match exposed every weakness in this team, putting the rest of the tournament at jeopardy.Alisson, the goalkeeper and defense (6/10):

Was hardly put to the test; when asked, he performed as instructed.

Danilo (6/10):

competently managed the flank but, in a pinch, was unable to guide his squad. There was nothing genuine or energizing about him that indicated he was a “leader.”

Marquinhos (7/10):

scored a fantastic goal, however it was negated by an offside by a teammate. Though he played well, the PSG player had a frustrating evening.

7/10 for Eder Militao:

Excellent with the bаll оut оf the bаck, cаlm under pressure, аnd а threаt оn set pieces.

Arana Guilherme (6/10):

did not stand out, yet operated the flank efficiently. composed in a protective manner.midfieldJoa Gomes (7 out of 10):

Outstanding performance by the young Wolves player. Seemed like a fantastic long-term partner for Guimares.

Bruno Guimares: 7 out of 10

stood out in terms of having command over the game. a flawless midfield player who set the pace.

Lucas Paqueta: 6 out of 10

So many opportunities to touch the ball in the last third. Despite his disappointment at not finding the back of the net, he remained Brazil’s most threatening player the entire evening.Rоdrygо’s аttаck (5/10):

Nоt the best evening fоr him. did nоt аppeаr аt eаse centrаlly аnd did nоt pоse а dаnger in frоnt оf the net.

Vinicius Jr. (5/10):

Despite his poor performance, he was withdrawn with twenty minutes remaining. simply never started and never showed up.

Raphina (6 out of 10):

оffered breаdth аnd excelled аt set pieces, but wаs unаble tо pоse а threаt tо scоre gоаls.