NEYMAR did not need to say it.

Indeed, there were likely a few among his entourage who would rather he had not uttered anything at all since the 21-year-old is to have his tonsils removed on Friday, yet he had made the point so emphatically while helping Brazil to dismantle Spain in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday night that he was not to be dissuaded from making one last, pithy summation. "Brazil have shown the world that the Brazil national team is back," he said.

And how. Brazil had only gained entry to the competition as hosts but seized on the opportunity to deliver opponents home with that message; the 3-0 humbling of the Spanish inside the Maracana allowing them to make an impressive statement of intent before assuming hosting duties for next year's World Cup finals. That tournament will be the main event, although this matinee will still be considered significant.

The Brazilian national anthem had provided a stirring, guttural aria for a match which will likely echo until next summer's finals – with Spain first tripped up after two minutes, winded on the cusp of half-time and bruised three minutes later, before being left a man down when Gerard Pique was sent off with 22 minutes still to endure. The defender had cynically scythed down Neymar as his new Barcelona team-mate scampered towards goal, although Pique could be forgiven for simply resolving that it was the only way to deal with a player who had poked and prodded him mercilessly. On the rare occasion Neymar had left him alone, it was only to find the space from which to thump the ball past Iker Casillas for Brazil's second.

Brazil should be lauded for how they teased their feted opponents but it seems ungrateful to snigger at how easily this Spanish side were subjected to such a spanking in Rio. Their remorseless victories in the World Cup in 2010 and European Championships two years later were marvelled at, yet closer examination has shown just how exacting the demands of such consistency are.

There had been an indication that Spain were becoming jaded when Barcelona – whose component parts have helped construct the national team – were so ruthlessly routed by Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League and perpetual competition has simply worn them out. Many of those players found wanting on Sunday night have had just one summer off since 2007.

"We have won a lot of important titles and one day, the moment has to arrive when you don't win," said Sergio Ramos, who compounded the defeat by missing a penalty. "We aren't machines. Our conscience is clear; we gave the best we had."

The sight of Spain being brought to their knees might invite some to herald their demise. This should be resisted and it is odd that there are those who have been waiting for their dynasty to be overthrown. They no longer consider watching Spain to be a thrill, their refusal to give anyone else a kick of the ball having apparently lost its lustre. Brazil have shown shrewd timing in reaffirming their credentials, then, although Spain have recovered from uncomfortable performances before – conceding four to Portugal just 18 months before winning the European Championships.

There has always been a need to identify a vulnerability to characters who show themselves to have extraordinary ability and Spain's back four is often scrutinised, be it Pique's fallible concentration or Ramos' temperament. It did not help that Fred would prod in Brazil's first goal while prone in the six-yard box, or that Arvalo Arbeloa inadvertently supplied the back-heel from which Oscar almost made it 2-0 minutes later. The Spaniards might still find cause to take some semblance of satisfaction in Brazil's triumph, though, since the manner in which they were harassed in possession carried very Iberian undertones.

Vicente Del Bosque's side have subjugated world football with tiki-taka but they were deposed by Brazil's capacity to replicate their opponents' means of defence: swarming those in possession and closing opponents down with such ferocity that the ball is relinquished. Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Juan Mata are entitled to be fearless passers but each would surrender possession during a night in which Brazil hunted them. "We didn't hide; we ran and ran," observed Neymar.

It was not the most attractive aspect of their display – Fred scored his second with an adroit shot, steered around Casillas – although the ugly side of the competition had already been broadcast diligently by the BBC, the weary comments of Mark Lawrenson not so much suggesting we were watching the rebirth of a passionate football nation but witnessing the death of a loved one. The Beeb then lightened the mood by showing images of Brazilians protesting to highlight their distaste over a rise in public transport fares among other things, which have been a consequence of the demands of hosting a World Cup.

"This is more than a title because we've shown we're on the right path and that we can now take a little more confidence with us as we travel down it," said Luiz Felipe Scolari, back in vogue in Brazil following undistinguished stints at Chelsea, Uzbekistani club Bunyodkor and Brazil's Palmeiras. "It's a message for the whole of Brazil."

It was one which he will feel was certainly worth making.