Play on the Break and Lean on Neymar: Brazil's World Cup Plan for Success

Brazil's place in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup is already assured. Victory over Japan in the tournament's opening match was followed with a 2-0 reverse of Mexico on Wednesday evening, which gives the Selecao the luxury of qualifying even before their third and final Group A clash against Italy. 

But it is no surprise to see the hosts cruise through to the last four in front of their own fans, nor to see them exhibit a style on the pitch typical of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's time in football. 

To put it bluntly, the current Brazil team—continuing a trend that would have past masters, such as 1982 World Cup star Socrates, shaking their heads in despair—play better when they do not have the ball at their feet. 

Victory over the Tri, for whom the tournament is now over following their second consecutive defeat, was an example of Felipao's game plan carried out to perfection. The North Americans dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes, according to Goal's statistics compilers, taking 56 percent of the ball compared to 44 percent for their hosts. 

In distribution, Mexico outstripped their rival, making 334 passes to Brazil's 260. To put that in context, against Uruguay on Sunday, Spain put together an outrageous 925 passes, almost four times the amount managed by the Scratch in this latest triumph.

So what is the key to this team advancing steadily through the Confederations Cup? 

Just as in the successful 2002 World Cup campaign, hitting fast and hitting hard on the break is Scolari's favourite.

When the likes of David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the middle recover the ball deep in their own half, consolidating possession in the style of Spain is far from their thoughts. The play is directed almost instantly, within three passes, long and down into the corner, utilizing the pace of Neymar and Hulk. More often than not, it is the latest signing to the Camp Nou who is the target. 

This is no coincidence. Neymar's acceleration, speed and trickery on the ball are an indispensable part of his team's effort when they are going forward. With the ball, we see him pop up on the left flank, always looking to beat his marker while taking care not to ignore Marcelo coming up in support. If he goes past his rival, Brazil are one step from goal. If he is taken down, a free-kick aimed at the Selecao's aerial threats is little respite for a defending team. 

When the ball goes right and Hulk uses his physicality to hold up possession, bringing Dani Alves or Oscar into the game, Neymar drifts into the penalty area. He is an opportunist like few others in the danger zone, as we saw in the first goal; just nine minutes in, Dani Alves' cross was deflected into his path by the unfortunate Jorge Torres and the youngster did not err with a stunning left-foot volley that marked his second goal of the tournament. 

One ahead so early into the game, Felipao had the Mexican side just where he wanted them. The away team put in a sterling effort to try and come back, but that advantage in possession and territory counted for nothing when put against a stout Brazilian backline that is a model of solidity.

The best chances continued to fall for the hosts when they broke forward in numbers, and fittingly it was a moment of individual magic from Neymar that ended the match as a contest. The Santos idol bamboozled his defenders out wide before putting in a delicate cross, and it could not have been easier for substitute Jo to tap in unmarked and confirm the triumph. 

That final point is important.

This insistence on discipline and functionality from the coach does not mean Neymar, Oscar and Lucas Moura are prohibited from showing off their talent on the ball. Dribbles and flicks may be forbidden in the middle of the pitch, but the ever-pragmatic Felipao knows that in and around the box they are as effective a tool as any on the way to goal.

But let us not be fooled by those fleeting moments of magic; playing without the ball for large spells and waiting for gaps to appear, Brazil's Joga Bonito this is not. 

Daniel is a football journalist based in Buenos Aires, who specialises in covering the South American game. You can follow him on twitter at @DanEdwardsGoal