It was football from another era. You could be forgiven for seeing a little Junior in Vinicius' dinked a cross to Paqueta, a little Vava in Richarlison's headed dribble leading to his goal, a little Garrincha in Neymar's jig through two defenders and the referee.

A deep tradition of footballing rivalry dictates that I should not be particularly fond of Roy Keane. The former Ireland captain and Manchester United legend was a particularly prickly thorn during his playing days for us Liverpool supporters. But there was a grudging respect. We resented his combative style but only amongst ourselves, never to the outside world, as we longed for such an enforcer of our own.

So, I find it a little rich that Keane termed the Selecao's post-goal dancing "disrespectful". Seriously, anyone who did not find joy in the way Brazil went about their business last night was either Roy Keane, an ardent Argentina fan, or just a massive old bore!   

I am not a Selecao fan per se. If anything, I was rooting for South Korea to make things interesting on Monday night. But I am a football fan, and what I saw last night melted my hard old heart. You don't see football like this anymore. You just don't witness such joyful abandon. 

In today's ultra-technical world of high-stakes football, fun is too often sacrificed for results. Of course, there is excitement in the high press and high energy style employed by my boys at Anfield. There is mastery in the possession-based style employed by Pep Guardiola's charges at the Etihad.

However, more often than not, players and managers make choices that are guided by an ethos of maximizing results as opposed to a philosophy of enhancing beauty. But last night, it was not to be. 

Back in September, Pele took to social media to encourage Vinicius Jr. never to back down in the face of abuse. "Football is happiness. It's a dance. It's a true party." he wrote. "We will not allow racism to stop us smiling." he added. "Dance Vini," implored the maestro.  

And dance they did. And play they did. And party we did, even if only in our hearts. 

It was football from another era. You could be forgiven for seeing a little Junior in Vinicius' dinked a cross to Paqueta, a little Vava in Richarlison's headed dribble leading to his goal, a little Garrincha in Neymar's jig through two defenders and the referee. You could be forgiven for seeing a little of the 1970s legends in the way the Selecao celebrated last night. 

It was as if the fondest spirits of Brazil's past and present had come together to pay glorious tribute to O Rei (The King), as Pele is called in Brazil. 

One could imagine him smiling that famous smile from a hospital bed in Sao Paulo. 

Dance Vini, he might have whispered. And dance, Vini certainly did. 

Anything less than hoisting the trophy would be considered a disappointment for this Brazilian team. But if they continue to play like this, anything less than the ultimate prize will be forgiven with gratitude by true lovers of the sport.