Grading the Brazil Players from the Copa America Group Stage
So, Brazil are safely through to the quarter-finals of the Copa America, having topped Group C with two wins from their three group games. The Selecao are set to meet Paraguay—who eliminated them at this stage of the competition four years ago after a penalty shootout—on Saturday.
Here is a look at all the players who played a part in Brazil’s passage into the knockout phase.
Jefferson
1 of 15
One error aside just three minutes into the tournament, the Botafogo stopper has performed admirably. He has shown why he is considered the best goalkeeper in domestic Brazilian football with sharp reflexes and is a reliable presence behind the back four.
With his club now plying their trade in Brazil’s second tier, a move abroad cannot be discarded if he continues to impress in Chile.
GRADE: B
Daniel Alves
2 of 15
A story of redemption for the Barcelona full-back. Hugely disappointing at the World Cup last year, where he was eventually dropped for Maicon, the injury to Danilo has proved a blessing in disguise for the veteran.
Provider of the side’s first goal of the tournament against Peru with a devilishly accurate cross, he proved his versatility against Venezuela by slipping seamlessly into a midfield role. A huge plus for Dunga.
GRADE: A-
Miranda
3 of 15
The rock that Dunga’s defence is built around. He is the only player to take part in all 13 games of the coach’s second spell, and his place in the coach’s plans was underlined when he was handed the captain’s armband ahead of Thiago Silva against Venezuela.
GRADE: A
Thiago Silva
4 of 15
It has taken the best part of a year but the PSG monster has finally regained his place in the Selecao starting lineup. Scorer of a stunning volley to break the deadlock against Venezuela, Silva may have ceded the captain’s armband to Neymar, but he has given ample evidence that he can form an air-tight partnership with Miranda.
GRADE: A-
David Luiz
5 of 15
He has now lost his starting berth at the back after being part of the horrendous error that led to Peru’s opening goal. However, he came on to good effect against Venezuela last Sunday, and indicated he could be the potential makeshift Luiz Gustavo that this Brazil side so desperately craves.
GRADE: C+
Filipe Luis
6 of 15
In stark contrast to the marauding and volatile Marcelo, the Chelsea defender has offered a more dependable service down Brazil’s left flank. In addition, he combined well with Philippe Coutinho when he did get forward and has rarely put a foot wrong. He has played every minute of the tournament so far.
GRADE: B+
Fernandinho
7 of 15
He has looked far from comfortable playing in the purely holding role and has offered scant protection in front of the back four. After Dunga reshuffled the pack against Venezuela, the Manchester City midfielder could find himself watching from the bench.
GRADE: C+
Elias
8 of 15
There has been little protection behind Elias, with Fernandinho an unreliable partner, therefore shackling the Corinthians player’s creative urges. He has looked lost at time, unsure whether to stick or twist, and the team’s cohesion has suffered for it.
Being paired with David Luiz or Daniel Alves could well give Elias the lease of life he so desperately craves.
GRADE: C+
Fred
9 of 15
Arguably the most disappointing Brazil player at the Copa America so far. The Shakhtar Donetsk star has shown brief glimpses of the young talent that was first shown at Internacional but has also suffered from a lack of security in the midfield trio.
Unfortunately for Fred, the Selecao’s most balanced display came against Venezuela, when he was a spectator from the bench.
GRADE: C
Willian
10 of 15
The Chelsea midfielder has put forward a convincing case as Brazil’s player of the group stage. The 26-year-old was a force to be reckoned with, constantly blurring the lines dividing midfield and attack, combining lung-defying energy with moments of brilliance.
His pinpoint cross for Roberto Firmino to net the second against Venezuela showed the confidence with which he is currently playing, and his form could be key to how far Brazil go in this tournament.
GRADE: A
Philippe Coutinho
11 of 15
With Neymar suspended for the rest of the Copa America, much of the onus will fall on Coutinho’s shoulders to drive the side forward. After encouraging displays in the friendlies against Mexico and Honduras, the Liverpool playmaker missed the tournament opener against Peru before coming on as a second-half substitute against Colombia.
His entrance gave Brazil a lift but not enough to snatch something from the game. However, the signs were there against Venezuela that he could still hit top gear in the knockout rounds. Brazil need him to.
GRADE: B
Neymar
12 of 15
Neymar did what Neymar does against Peru, single-handedly dragging the team to victory in a sluggish game. He scored one and created the other as Brazil got off to a winning start by the skin of their teeth.
Against Colombia, however, Neymar did what Neymar isn’t supposed to do; lose his head. After a poor performance from the No. 10, he took his frustration out on the ball, hitting Pablo Armero bang in the chops.
Coupled with the verbal abuse he dished out to referee Enrique Osses, the Selecao now have to do without their star man, an enormous, not to mention avoidable, loss.
GRADE: C+
Roberto Firmino
13 of 15
He redeemed his glaring miss against Colombia with the second against Venezuela on Sunday and has now confirmed himself as the first-choice forward ahead of Diego Tardelli. His work rate cannot be doubted but any more wasted chances in front of an open goal, and he is likely to watch the rest of the tournament from the bench.
GRADE: B
Diego Tardelli
14 of 15
Rather harshly cast out after the group opener against Peru, Tardelli has been reduced to a bench role ever since. However, it should be remembered that it was his run that drew attention away from Neymar, giving him ample space to head Brazil’s equalizer against Peru.
For now, though, Tardelli is playing second fiddle to Firmino.
GRADE: C
Robinho
15 of 15
An extremely encouraging first Copa America performance from the Santos man. He created the first and showed a hunger and initiative that has sometimes been lacking from his game.
At 31, perhaps the former Real Madrid man realises he is in last chance saloon, certainly regarding the national side. With Neymar out, Robinho has a perfect opportunity to show he still has something worthwhile to offer the Selecao.
GRADE: B+
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