Even the hero missed the villain.

Every strong team needs at least one outstanding striker. The one who unbalances the opposition, who solves problems, the one who forces two defenders to mark him, the one who throws the opposing defense into turmoil, the one who disrupts the defensive system. 

I say that the striker is more important because he's the one who scores goals, and the team wins by scoring goals; the defenders prevent goals. They are crucial for preventing defeats, not for achieving victories.

The examples are on TV every day. Mbappé in France, Lewandowski in Poland, De Bruyne in Belgium, Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portuguese national team, Messi in Argentina.

The star of the Brazilian national team is Neymar. Even when he doesn't have the ball at his feet, he creates space for other attackers because whenever he moves, he takes two opposing defenders with him.

When he has the ball at his feet, he breaks through defensive lines because he's a great dribbler, which is rare in world football. And for that reason, he's the one who draws the most fouls, which opens up opportunities for direct shots on goal.

Mbappé and Vini Jr. are spectacular; they have strength, speed, quick thinking, and intelligence, but they aren't dribblers like Neymar and Messi. They run to the byline and cross the ball, always dangerously. 

Switzerland is weaker than Serbia, but Brazil couldn't attack with the same intensity as in their opening game. Richarlison, the star of the first match, couldn't create a single dangerous play. Was he having a bad day? Did he forget how to play football?

Of course not. Neymar was missing. "He creates spaces for me," said the number 9 at the end of the match.

Richarlison's fans who hate Neymar, and who would prefer that he not play, don't realize that this is hurting their idol and, by extension, the Brazilian national team.

And it helps Brazil's opponents.