Brazil Masterclass Against Turkey Gives Promise of Brighter 2015

It just keeps getting better. The record now reads: Five games, five wins, 12 goals scored, none conceded.

More than a few eyebrows were raised when Dunga walked back into the Brazil job at the end of July. Less than four months later, the circle of mutterers and doubters must at least admit that, at this moment in time at the very least, his side are pleasing on the eye.

The numbers certainly back him up. Eight goals in the last two, of which Neymar has scored six.

 The teenager Dunga believed he could not trust at the 2010 World Cup has not so much grown up as burst forth. He now has 42 goals for the Selecao, six behind Flamengo and national idol Zico; at just 22 years of age, Pele’s record of 77 official goals is within his sights, should he manage to remain injury free.

But recounting numbers and statistics are just part of the story. When people talk about great Brazil teams of the past—or any fantastic side, in all honesty—a list of numbers is rarely high on the list of wistful memories.

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It is about the show, the spectacle, the entertainment. And on Wednesday, boy did Brazil put on a show.

Admittedly, Turkey were obliging opponents, but a potential banana skin of a contest was swiftly turned into an exhibition boasting of the potential threatening to burst forth from this bunch of players.

And for that, Dunga must take a huge slice of credit. Potential is being translated into positive results on the pitch.

Yesterday saw a vastly changed squad of players from the two friendlies played last month. What did not change was the setup and attitude of the starting XI.

Diego Alves, between the sticks in place of Jefferson, was only forced into one smart save throughout the 90 minutes, but he may well be given another chance to prove his No. 1 credentials against Austria next week.

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With Luiz Gustavo patrolling in front of the back four like a surly nightclub bouncer, Fernandinho had the freedom to search and create.

And create he did. Just before the 20-minute mark, he executed a pinpoint pass over the back of the unsuspecting Turkish defence. Neymar, bringing the ball under control, demonstrated customary coolness in opening the scoring.

The Selecao No. 10 grabbed headlines, as he always does. Scorer of two goals and creator of the third, his ascent in world football continues apace.

No longer can the quickfire claim that he goes to ground far too easily be levelled at him. In Istanbul, he was felled only with brute force, rather than with one eye on an attempt to con the referee.

And Brazil’s third goal, confidently slotted home by Willian before half-time to as good as put the game to bed, was testament to the renewed vigour of Brazil’s craque. Neymar battled past his marker, left him for dead with a burst of pace, before teeing up the goal for his teammate.

The Chelsea player was also in showman spirit, performing the most dazzling of the game’s moves. With a feint and shimmy, Willian left two markers in his wake with a powerful charge into the penalty area; it was that kind of performance.

A show you could sit back and enjoy. Brazil played to win, under Dunga that is a prerequisite.

But they also played to entertain. With one full-back pushing forward at a time—Danilo looked particularly threatening, and the second goal came, a Semih Kaya own goal, came from his cross—Brazil’s back line remained disciplined and above all well drilled.

Miranda, left out of the World Cup squad, is now being dubbed the defender who never makes a mistake, as written on the CBF's official website (link in Portuguese). He was quick to laugh off such lofty acclaim, but the fact he has managed to keep World Cup captain Thiago Silva on the bench speaks louder than any epithet could.

There remains one challenge before the country can turn their back on this year, and the squad have arrived in Vienna ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Austria. But Wednesday’s stroll has sent a warning shot to anyone willing to write Brazil off too quickly.