Brazil were holding out for a hero in their second World Cup game – and one duly stepped up and obliged. However, it wasn't one the fans or the players were expecting, with Philippe Coutinho becoming the man of the hour with his key goal.
Yes, Neymar scored late on, but the damage was done from the moment Coutinho's ball hit the back of the net, and after his opening game free-kick as well, it's become clear just who is carrying the weight of the Brazilian nation on their shoulders at the minute.
Neymar might claim to be less than 100% fit, and fair enough given he's clearly rushed back from injury for this, but he's looked far from comfortable on the field at times, and it's almost the Lionel Messi syndrome of having the weight of expectations crushing you, rather than elevating you as they clearly do with the likes of Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Coutinho is shining, and a huge part of why the Brazilian team are doing so well at the minute, and it seems that the role he's deployed in for Brazil certainly brings out the best in his game. Of course, it's no coincidence that Coutinho plays his best football for Brazil when Roberto Firmino is on the field, and both games for Brazil so far have only served to illustrate why the forward should be in the starting XI in the place of Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus' place may be under threat, but Neymar won't be losing his place in the side no matter what – but his performances have been lacking so far. It's not only that, but the theatrics employed by the PSG forward that have many people tweeting in despair.
The diving, the play acting – all of this simply isn't needed, and on the biggest world stage of all, it's a terrible advertisement, both in terms of football as a whole and also for Neymar personally. Had the player been without talent, and desperate to make headlines, some of his actions may have been more understandable, but for one of the best players in the world, it's petulant and slightly pathetic.
Neymar was also mocked in some quarters for crying at the end of the game after his last-gasp goal, but that's where people need to be a bit more understanding. This is a player with the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders – not to mention the expectations of his agent, family, sponsors and the pressure he puts on himself.
Much like we've seen the likes of Rafa Nadal collapse and cry on court after the end of a long match or Grand Slam, Neymar was simply releasing energy, emotions and pressure after a game where he once again struggled and even had a row with Thiago Silva after the defender gave the ball back to Costa Rica.
A player showing emotions should be embraced, not ridiculed.
The World Cup is the biggest show of them all when it comes to the football world, and it's making superstars of some players. It's also showing others up for various reasons – but the age-old 'form is temporary, class is permanent' is something Neymar may want to keep in mind.
Being remembered for playing in a great Brazil side and being a key member of the team might not be as good as being remembered for dragging a nation to the trophy, but it's far better than being remembered as a diving, theatrical play-actor, who's more likely to be awarded an Oscar than a Ballon d'Or.