New Zealand FIFA U-20 World Cup: It’s Brazil versus Serbia final

Brazil beat Senegal 5-0 to join Serbia in the final of the Under-20 World Cup and to bury the nascent suspicion football’s great expressionists had embarked on a new, more sober course yesterday.

After Brazil’s latest matches against Uruguay and Portugal were scoreless and decided in penalty shootouts, speculation had grown that a new generation was ushering in a more defensive style.

A theory that Brazil’s 7-1 loss to Germany at least year’s senior World Cup forced a general reappraisal of its direction — a new emphasis on defence over attack — grew as goals dried up.

Brazil exploded that theory yesterday, striking three times in the first 19 minutes to earn its final place opposite Serbia, which beat Mali 2-1 in extra time.