One just couldn't help but marvel at the pure jubilation.

As Brazil waltzed their way into a 3-0 lead against a shell-shocked South Korean side within half an hour of scintillating football masterclass, Tottenham star Richarlison, who had just scored a sublime team goal with sensational flicks and outrageous skills, rushed over to the dugout where the Selecao substitutes and even the head coach Tite began to do their trademark "pigeon dance."

"We try to adapt to the characteristics of the players," beamed Tite when asked about his dancing moves afterwards. "They are very young and I try to adapt a bit to their language, and part of their language is dancing."

That's how much fun the 61-year-old tactician and his dazzling stars were having in this one-sided World Cup last-16 showdown.

Some TV pundits, including Manchester United legend Roy Keane, claimed that the celebration went over the top and showed a sheer lack of respect to their opponents. But to be fair, the only accusation that can be leveled against Brazil is that the five-time world champions took their foot off the pedal in the second half and went through the motions.

The damage had already been done in a 36-minute blitz. Vinicius Junior set the tone with a marvelous volley before Neymar returned from injury to add another from the penalty spot. Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta then also got on the scoresheet, killing off the game in style.

South Korea, to their great credit, refused to buckle under the relentless strain and tested Brazil goalkeeper Alisson and their underworked defensive line with several counterattacks. Paik Seung-ho eventually clinched a consolation goal with a brilliant long-range strike, but the huge gulf in class between the two sides was for all to see.

While Tite has a plethora of world-class big-names at his disposal, his South Korean counterpart Paulo Bento stares at his team's striking lack of depth in the squad, with Son Heung-min being their only recognizable superstar.

An over-dependence on Son has been brought into the spotlight over the past few ties in Qatar as South Korea looked ponderous in movement and grew exceedingly predictable, relying on the 30-year-old to make a difference when there is little margin for error.

Son did step up to the plate when their fate was on the line against Portugal and delivered a sumptuous assist to drove South Korea to squeeze into the knockout stages for the first time since 2010. But as one of only six players who play in major European leagues in their squad, Son struggled to make a bigger impact after often at the receiving end of cynical fouls.

"What can I say? We prepared well and gave everything, but this is the gap between the players," observed Son, who has failed to score at three consecutive World Cups. "Brazil is one of the best teams in the world. All of their players are world-class players. We tried to do everything, but they deserved to win.

"I don't blame our players because they gave everything, and we will move on. Going out of the World Cup is not easy... We want to do better. I don't know. We will wait four years and we need to prepare well and do better."

Bento, however, remained defiant, insisting South Korea should be "proud of what we have done at this World Cup, and what we have done over the last four years to get here." The 53-year-old Portuguese, who succeeded homegrown coach Shin Tae-yong after 2018 World Cup, also announced that he has made the decision to step down.

As South Korea reflect on their Qatar campaign, Brazil will march on. Next up for them is a mouth-watering quarterfinal encounter with 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, who edged out Japan on penalties earlier in the day after their last-16 tie finished 1-1.

Japan caused a streetwise Croatian side all sorts of problems and took a deserved lead two minutes before half-time through a crisp effort from Daizen Maeda. But Croatia managed to control the tempo of the game with flowing movements and leveled in the second half when Ivan Perisic sent a bullet header into the far corner. 

Neither side could find a breakthrough thereafter, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic became the hero as he saved three penalties in the shootout, crushing Japan's dreams as the Samurai Blue failed to progress beyond the last-16 in all four World Cup appearances.

"No matter how well we fought today, we didn't change history," a crestfallen Ritsu Doan told a press briefing. The Freiburg striker inspired Japan to thrilling comeback wins over former world champions Germany and Spain with incredible goals in both do-or-die ties, but this time around, the 24-year-old was unable to instigate another giant-killing act.

Japan will have much to remember from this World Cup, not least playing an instrumental role in knocking out Germany at the group stage, but the sudden lack of composure and collectedness during the heartbreaking loss on penalties is evidence of how much improvement is needed before they are anything more than just a team seeking to dethrone the Goliath.