Brazil player ratings vs Costa Rica: Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo woeful as Selecao stunned by Los Ticos in scoreless Copa America draw

Mention the word “champion” or the phrase “the best” when discussing men’s international soccer, and you often conjure one word: Brazil. The Selecao is a nation of footballing heritage – from Zico and Pele to Ronaldo Fenomeno and recently, Neymar Jr. Brazil has always been synonymous with flair, skill, and dominance on the pitch. An elite powerhouse of a nation that strikes fear into the hearts of their opponents. Long gone are those days, it seems. Long gone is the Selecao of old. This roster has no identity, it has no romance to the beat of their boots. There’s nothing powerful about the way this team plays.

There’s no other way to describe Brazil’s performance against Costa Rica Monday in a 0-0 draw than disappointing. There was a severe lack of identity, no leadership on the pitch, no desire – from anyone. This was an inconspicuous start for a tournament favorite. Sure, a few calls did not go their way, including a mysterious VAR decision. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, those do not matter. Monday night was an amateur-hour performance from the Selecao. Nobody was good enough. Sure, neither Vinicius Jr nor Rodrygo had a single shot on target, but nobody else did anything to make up for what they lacked on the evening.

A Performance Lacking Inspiration

The Selecao has always had world-class players, and they’ve led the way, but their supporting cast on the pitch has also been held to a standard damn-near-close to that of their superstars. It was disappointment all around, and newly-appointed Dorival Junior on the touchline must certainly include himself in that conversation. So it’s on to Paraguay in game two of Copa America, but Monday was a match that showed every flaw this roster has – and that means risk for the remainder of this tournament.

From the opening whistle, Brazil looked a shadow of their former selves. The dynamism and flair that once defined the Selecao’s play were nowhere to be seen. Instead, what unfolded was a disjointed and uninspired performance that left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. The team’s inability to break down a resolute Costa Rican defense was symptomatic of deeper issues within the squad – a lack of cohesion, creativity, and leadership.

Goalkeeper & Defense: Solid but Unspectacular

• Alisson (6/10): Was barely tested, did what was asked of him when called upon. Alisson’s calm presence between the sticks was one of the few positives for Brazil. However, his quiet night was more a reflection of Costa Rica’s cautious approach than Brazil’s defensive solidity.
• Danilo (6/10): Operated the flank well, but as captain, failed to lead his team in moments. He lacked urgency, and there was no true energy around him that showed “leader.” As the captain, Danilo’s inability to galvanize the team in key moments was glaring. His defensive duties were executed competently, but his leadership was sorely lacking.
• Marquinhos (7/10): Scored a great goal, but a teammate being offside took it away. Frustrating night for the PSG man, but he played well. Marquinhos was arguably Brazil’s best player on the night. His disallowed goal epitomized the frustration that permeated Brazil’s performance.
• Eder Militao (7/10): Good on the ball out of the back, was composed when needed, and was a threat on set pieces. Militao’s composure and ball-playing abilities were highlights, but his efforts were ultimately in vain.
• Guilherme Arana (6/10): Operated the flank well but didn’t stand out. Composed defensively. Arana’s performance was solid but unspectacular, much like the rest of the team. His defensive duties were carried out with minimal fuss, but he failed to make a significant impact going forward.

Midfield: Missing the Spark

• Joao Gomes (7/10): Really strong showing from the Wolves youngster. Looked like a great partner for Guimaraes going forward. Gomes was a bright spot in an otherwise dim performance. His energy and work rate in midfield provided some much-needed drive.
• Bruno Guimaraes (7/10): Stood out in terms of controlling the match. An absolute unit in the midfield who ran the tempo. Guimaraes was the heartbeat of Brazil’s midfield, dictating the tempo and trying to instigate attacks. However, his efforts were often stymied by a lack of support from his teammates.
• Lucas Paqueta (6/10): So many chances on the ball in the final third. He may be upset he never found the back of the net, but he was Brazil’s most dangerous player all night. Paqueta was Brazil’s most creative outlet but was left frustrated by his inability to convert his chances into goals. His frustration mirrored that of the entire team.

Attack: Blunt and Ineffective

• Rodrygo (5/10): Not his best night. Was not a threat in front of the net and did not look comfortable centrally. Rodrygo struggled to impose himself on the game, looking uncomfortable and ineffective in the central role.
• Vinicius Jr (5/10): He was pulled with 20 minutes to spare after a rough showing. Just never got going and never looked himself. Vinicius Jr, usually so electrifying, was subdued and off the pace. His early substitution was a testament to his ineffectiveness.
• Raphinha (6/10): Provided width and was great on set pieces, but failed to provide any sort of goalscoring threat. Raphinha’s delivery from set pieces was a rare positive, but his inability to influence the game in open play was indicative of Brazil’s struggles.

Subs & Manager: A Tactical Misfire

• Endrick (6/10): Brought on with 20 minutes to spare and provided a new dynamic in the box, but nothing came from it. Endrick injected some energy into Brazil’s attack but couldn’t find the cutting edge needed to break the deadlock.
• Savio (6/10): A few bright moments in his 20-minute cameo but lacked a clinical touch in the box. Savio showed glimpses of promise but, like Endrick, was unable to make a decisive impact.
• Gabriel Martinelli (N/A): Subbed on with seven minutes to spare. Didn’t provide much in the attack. Martinelli’s late introduction did little to change the course of the game.
• Dorival Junior (4/10): Dorival failed to get anything out of Brazil’s attack. Woeful tactics going forward, he got everything wrong against Costa Rica. Might need to look at starting an Evanilson or Endrick in game two. Dorival Junior’s tactical approach came under severe scrutiny. His inability to inspire and organize his team against a lower-ranked opponent was stark. The decision-making, especially in the attacking third, was poor, and changes will be needed going forward.

Costa Rica: The Unsung Heroes

Costa Rica deserves immense credit for their defensive resilience and tactical discipline. They executed their game plan to perfection, frustrating a more illustrious opponent and securing a valuable point. This result will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they navigate the rest of the tournament.

Brazil’s Path Forward

Brazil’s performance against Costa Rica exposed several flaws that need immediate attention. The lack of cohesion, creativity, and leadership on the pitch are concerns that Dorival Junior must address quickly. The Selecao’s upcoming match against Paraguay offers a chance for redemption, but significant improvements are required.

The players must step up and rediscover the identity that has made Brazil a footballing powerhouse for decades. The fans expect better, and the players owe it to themselves and the nation to deliver. The road to redemption starts now, and it will be a test of character, skill, and resolve.

 A Wake-Up Call

The scoreless draw against Costa Rica was a wake-up call for Brazil. It highlighted the team’s deficiencies and the urgent need for a collective response. The journey to reclaim their status as champions of Copa America is fraught with challenges, but with the right mindset and tactical adjustments, Brazil can still turn their campaign around.

Dorival Junior’s task is monumental, but not insurmountable. The players’ response in the upcoming fixtures will determine the trajectory of their tournament. Brazil has the talent; now, they need the inspiration and execution to match. The eyes of the footballing world are on the Selecao, and it’s time for them to rise to the occasion.

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