If the modern Germany had cast a shadow over many teams then none more so than Brazil, demolished in the Belo Horizonte four years ago but now a side looking more like the great tradition they are supposed to represent with the possibility that World Cup No 6 awaits.

The holders are out and there are none who will sniff the winds of change and fancy their chances more than the nation who have won more World Cups than any other. Against Serbia they eased up through the gears once again, letting Neymar do what Neymar does on the left wing and also finding other ways of winning this game through their little maestro Philippe Coutinho.

The former Liverpool man made the first goal for Paulinho and the second was nodded in by Thiago Silva, one of the survivors from that 2014 squad that lost to Germany, even if he was suspended for the 7-1 semi-final defeat. In that central defence department Brazil look solid, with Miranda having a fine game too and the only concern being in the full-back position, where they have had little good fortune with the fitness of key players. First Dani Alves was injured before the tournament, then Danilo, as well as the winger Douglas Costa, who may not play again at Russia 2018.

There are few as influential as their flying left-back Marcelo, of Real Madrid, and he too was in some distress with just ten minutes played. The Brazilian coach Tite said it was nothing more serious than a “back spasm” although Marcelo has to be replaced by Filipe Luis.

This is the team of Neymar, of course, in fact it seems to belong to him sometimes, the last man out the dressing room before the game, walking along the time of his team-mates in the tunnel like a general inspecting his troops. When he gets the ball on the left there is still that buzz of anticipation but there is plenty more to admire in the team, with Coutinho pulling the strings.