Brazil at the World Cups: 2006, Seleção reached the quarter-finals | OneFootball

Brazil National Team in its 2006 debut: 1-0 against CroatiaCredits: CBF Archive

The team coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira arrived at the 2006 World Cup in Germany carrying the status of reigning world champion, Copa América champion (2004), and Confederations Cup champion (2005). The squad was widely known for the quality of its “magic square,” a term used to refer to four star players who were in great form: Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Kaká, Ronaldo, and Adriano.

The preparation in Weggis, Switzerland, was marked by open training sessions with packed stands, in a level of exposure that generated a lot of controversy.

Despite a star-studded squad, the Brazil National Team failed to produce great performances. In the group stage, it won all three matches in workmanlike fashion, with little creativity.

The debut came on June 13 against Croatia at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Brazil won 1-0 with a goal by Kaká, in a match in which it fell below expectations.

In the second match, against Australia at the Weltmeisterchaft Stadium in Munich, Brazil did not need to work too hard to beat a weak Australia side 2-0, with goals from Adriano and Fred.

To wrap up the group stage and finish top of Group F, Brazil only needed a draw against Japan in the final round at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. With no hope of qualification, the Asian team fielded an alternate lineup, which made things easier for the Brazilians, who won 4-1 with goals from Ronaldo (2), Juninho Pernambucano, and Gilberto.

Ronaldo, Adriano, and Kaká in action at the 2006 World Cup: despite so many stars, Brazil did not get past the quarterfinalsCredits: CBF Archive

In the round of 16, the Brazil National Team also did not face an opponent capable of truly testing its competitive level. It faced Ghana, again in Dortmund, and secured another victory without much effort: 3-0, with goals from Ronaldo, Adriano, and Zé Roberto.

The first and only real tough challenge of that World Cup would come in the quarterfinals: a strong France side that had already troubled Brazil in other World Cups, such as in 1998, for example. And Zidane was in the lineup for the clash at Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt. The very same player who had been one of the main reasons for Brazil’s defeat in the 1998 final.

The only and decisive goal of the match was scored by Thierry Henry 12 minutes into the second half, after a Zidane free kick. Zidane delivered a masterful performance and controlled the game.

The match was marked by the French team’s tactical and technical dominance and by the lackluster display of Brazil’s much-hyped magic square. Brazil’s dream of playing in a fourth straight final ended there.

See Brazil’s squad for the 2006 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Dida (Milan), Julio Cesar (Internazionale), and Rogério Ceni (São Paulo);

Defenders: Cafu (Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Cris (Lyon), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Lúcio (Bayern Munich), Luisão (Benfica), and Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid);

Midfielders: Emerson (Juventus), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaká (Milan), Mineiro (São Paulo), Ricardinho (Corinthians), Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Barcelona), and Zé Roberto (Bayern Munich);

Forwards: Adriano (Internazionale), Fred (Lyon), Robinho (Real Madrid), and Ronaldo (Real Madrid).

Head coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.