Striking it Rich in the big time
TOTTENHAM ACE’S DOUBLE INCLUDES A SHOWSTOPPER
RICHARLISON lit up the World Cup with a stunning scissor kick as Brazil underlined their status as title favourites.
The Tottenham forward netted twice to make it nine goals in his past seven games for Brazil.
All the focus had been on Neymar before kick-off but Richarlison stole the show with a goal of the tournament contender that will be hard to beat.
He also became the first Brazilian to score twice on his World Cup finals debut since Neymar in 2014 – and vindicated coach Tite’s decision to start him.
Having put his team ahead with a poacher’s finish, Richarlison turned on the style for his second, controlling the ball before swivelling to volley an unstoppable shot into the net.
It brought the Brazil fans packed inside the Lusail Stadium to their feet in admiration at such an outrageous moment of individual brilliance.
With Argentina and Germany having fallen victim to shock opening defeats, the pressure was on the five-time winners.
And although they made a slow start, Brazil’s superior class ultimately told in the end.
Neymar, right, forced Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to punch an inswinging corner over but Tite’s side struggled to find a way through early on.
But when Serbia broke the possession monopoly, their final ball was lacking while Alisson was commanding in goal.
A quick one-two between Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta ended with the former prodding a tame shot at Milinkovic-Savic.
Casemiro then lofted a ball forward for Vinicius Jr.
He looked set to profit from an error by Nikola Milenkovic but the defender recovered superbly to deny the Brazil forward as he prepared to pull the trigger.
Serbia managed to shut out Brazil for the first half, Dragan Stojkovic’s players high-fiving each other as they left the pitch at the break to congratulate themselves on a job well done. There was more frustration for Brazil within a minute of the restart, Nemanja Gudelj’s mistake allowing Raphinha a shot on goal before MilinkovicSavic came to his side’s rescue with a crucial block.
Neymar was brought down by Gudelj on the edge of the area and took the resulting free-kick, which was deflected behind.
Raphinha then took a heavy touch with the goal in his sights, allowing Strahinja Pavlovic to make a vital interception.
Alex Sandro thudded a fierce shot from long-range against a post as Brazil stepped up a gear in search of the opening goal – which became a matter of when, not if.
The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute, Richarlison reacting quickest to turn the ball in after Vinicius Jr’s shot was palmed away by Milinkovic-Savic.
He followed up with his moment of magic, igniting the World Cup and showing why Brazil remain the team to beat.
BRAZIL (4-2-3-1): Alisson 6; Danilo 6, Silva 7, Marquinhos 6, Sandro 7; Paqueta 6 (Fred 75), Casemiro 7; Raphinha 7 (Martinelli 87), Neymar 6 (Antony 80), Vinicius Jr 8 (Rodrygo 76); Richarlison 9 (Jesus 79). Goals: Richarlison 62, 73.
SERBIA (3-5-2): V Milinkovic-Savic 6; Veljkovic 6, Milenkovic 6, Pavlovic 6; Zivkovic 6 (Radonjic 57, 6), Lukic 6 (Lazovic 66, 6), Gudelj 6 (Ilic 57, 6), S Milinkovic-Savic 6, Mladenovic 6 (Vlahovic 66, 6); Tadic 6, Mitrovic 6 (Maksimovic 83).
A stunning goal of the tournament contender