Abu Dhabi (AFP)

Brazil beat South Korea 3-0 in a friendly in Abu Dhabi, ending a run of five games without a win thanks to an excellent performance by young side Renan Lodi, who scored two assists.

This meeting, the last of the year for the Seleçao, also served as a redemption for offensive midfielders Lucas Paqueta and Philippe Coutinho, who have been widely criticized recently and both scorers (8th, 35th). Danilo, also contested, also shakes the nets (59th).

A young player from AC Milan, Paqueta, 22, was retained in the 11th despite his disappointing performance against Argentina on Friday (1-0 defeat by Messi).

The next day, the former crack Rivaldo had moved on social networks as Tite entrusts the mythical number 10 Pelé (which Rivaldo himself has brilliantly carried) to such an inexperienced player in the absence of Neymar, injured.

Highly contested for the five-game winless streak since the Copa America title in July, Tite decided to strengthen his midfield by fielding Fabinho, sparkling this season with Liverpool, while Marquinhos took the place of his Parisian teammate Thiago Silva in central defense.

- Heading to the World-2022 -

The Brazilian coach had also chosen to turn his squad in attack, with the return of Coutinho instead of Willian and Richarlison favorite Firmino.

Faced with a strong opponent, the Seleçao has often tried to find the flaw on the wings, especially on the left, where the young Lodi, 21, is becoming more and more a successor to Marcelo, after a promising start with Atletico Madrid.

The second Brazilian goal was scored on a set kick, a splendid shot wrapped Coutinho (35th) who tries to reborn at Bayern Munich after a difficult passage to FC Barcelona.

Brazil had not scored on a live free kick for more than five years, when Neymar scored the winning goal in a friendly against Colombia in September 2014.

The Seleçao continued to set the pace after the break, with another inspiration from Lodi: the young Colchonero slipped an excellent ball for the other side, Danilo, who shot the South Korean gatekeeper from the entrance to the surface .

A reassuring performance for the men of Tite before returning to the field in March, for the South American qualifications of the World Cup-2022.

© 2019 AFP