Richarlison’s World Cup brace for Brazil ‘a boyhood dream come true’
RICHARLISON reflected on his tears when he feared he might miss the World Cup after scoring both goals as Brazil opened their bid to win a sixth title with a 2-0 win over Serbia in Doha.
“It is a boyhood dream come true,” the Tottenham Hotspur forward said after netting a second-half brace in the Group G match at the Lusail Stadium.
Richarlison opened the scoring just after the hour mark, following in to net after a Vinicius Jr shot had been saved.
But he saved the best for the 73rd minute, when he scored with a stunning acrobatic scissor kick after controlling a Vinicius cross.
There had been fears the 25-year-old would not make the tournament after he came off with a calf injury playing for Spurs in a Premier League game against his former club Everton in mid-october.
“Four weeks ago I was crying, doubting whether I would come. The day I went for tests was one of the slowest of my life because I was there on the stretcher, waiting to get the results,” he said.
Asked about his stunning second goal, which was his 19th in 39 appearances for the Selecao, Richarlison said he had been practising scoring in such fashion during Brazil’s pre-tournament training camp.
“I scored a similar one in training when we were in Italy and today I had the opportunity to hit one on the volley and it came off,” he said.
“I said during the week that it was difficult to break through their block.
“I am used to playing in games like that in England, where teams tend to sit back, so I knew if I got the opportunity I needed to take it.”