katero
Jun 30, 2026

ITV commentator hammers Casemiro for first half display against Japan

Casemiro forced commentator Lee Dixon to eat humble pie after the Brazilian midfielder was accused of being 'a shadow of his former self' in the last-32 clash against Japan in Houston.

The Brazilian, who left Manchester United as a free agent this summer and will join Inter Miami in MLS, struggled with the pace of Japan's midfield press in the opening 45 minutes and was caught out for the opening goal when Kaishu Sano drove past him to finish.

ITV commentator Lee Dixon offered a withering assessment of Casemiro throughout the first half, claiming he has 'no legs' before going on to add that he looked like 'a shadow of his former self'.

Along with Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and former West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, Casemiro and Brazil's midfield found itself overrun by a Japan team perfectly executing a 3-4-3 system that nullified Vinicius Jnr.

Dixon, who has long been a critical voice of Casemiro, claiming in 2024 that he looked like he was 'towing a caravan' during an FA Cup match, also went on to suggest that he'd have been amazed should Casemiro come out to play in the second half, a sentiment echoed by pundit Roy Keane.

Casemiro (left) was beaten for pace by Japan's Kaishu Sano for Japan's first goal in Houston

Casemiro (left) was beaten for pace by Japan's Kaishu Sano for Japan's first goal in Houston

Lee Dixon, working on commentary for ITV, served up a withering assessment of Casemiro

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