Strike it Rich!
Golden boy hits the jackpot with Brazil brace
The pigeon has landed at the World Cup. In theory, it is not the best place for him among the hunting falcons of the Arabian peninsula. Then again, Richarlison has never been too concerned about perfection.
If he were, he would never embrace his nickname ‘Pombo’, Portuguese for the much-maligned bird. he is happy to poke fun at his own beaky features and peculiar gait, and Brazil are learning to love him for that.
Just as they do at Tottenham. Richarlison is genuine, determined and selfless. he works for his team and his coaches and his teammates adore him. Popular opinion in Brazil had once leaned towards Rodrygo, Antony or Gabriel Jesus to start up front rather than him.
Those opinions are about to change as his two goals against Serbia fired Brazil into this tournament with style. Their only concern was an injury to Neymar, who went off after 80 minutes and looked in discomfort on the bench.
Richarlison’s first was a true poacher’s finish. he was lurking in the right place when Vinicius Junior’s fierce low shot was pushed up and out by the goalkeeper. Richarlison pounced. his striker’s instinct had him in the right place and his athleticism helped him to adjust and force the ball into the net from an awkward height.
This, however, had nothing on his second, an acrobatic scissorkick volley that will go down as a World Cup classic of the genre. Vinicius’s firm cross was not easy to bring under control and Richarlison’s touch sent it spinning over his shoulder. As it did, he assessed the trajectory, swivelled and, as it dropped, sent it screaming into the net with his right foot.
Two goals in 11 minutes and nine in his last seven appearances for Brazil. he may not have the silky skills and creative flair of Neymar or the electric pace of Vinicius but he is vital to this team.
For more than an hour they have toiled to break down Serbia. Alex Sandro struck a post and Raphinha squandered two decent chances. Dragan Stojkovic’s team were obdurate, industrious and well organised, with the steely glint of a team with a plan. One prepared to shelve their attacking instincts and deploy the discipline required to frustrate the Brazilians.
They came out with a back three and Sasa Lukic detailed to patrol Neymar through the opening phase of the game. Brazil’s playmaker drifted in his free role around centre forward Richarlison, flanked by Vinicius and Raphinha.
Neymar absorbed some heavy treatment and Lukic literally dragged the shirt from his back at one point in the first half as they tussled for the ball. Neymar rattled a speculative shot into the body of Milos Veljkovic, although the most striking aspect of Brazil in the first half was the searing acceleration of Vinicius on the left.
Serbia though were committed, protecting their goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic who, in turn was alert. his first save was a routine one from Casemiro. Then his fine anticipation, courage and a burst of pace from his line prevented Vinicius sprinting on to a sublime pass from Thiago Silva. This was Brazil’s most effective ploy. Zip a few passes about, drag the defensive unit out of shape and slide the lightning quick winger in behind right wing-back Andrija Zivkovic.
It caused a few problems, although Serbia contained it. Lucas Paqueta’s pass to Raphinha on the half-hour opened the only true chance of the first half but the leftfooted attempt by the winger lacked conviction. Vanja, whose elder brother Sergej started in midfield, saved with ease. At the other end, Alisson’s involvement was limited to fielding crosses.
Aleksandar Mitrovic niggled by an ankle injury this season, was fit to start up front. The Fulham talisman is Serbia’s record scorer with 50 goals and got the nod ahead of Dusan Valhovic, who has also been recovering from injury.
Brazil returned for the second half with more purpose. Raphinha pounced on a slip by Nemanja Gudelj and was through on goal but the former Leeds man did not have the precision to finish.
Neymar dropped deep and embarked on a jinking run until cynically cut down outside the area by Gudelj. he took the freekick himself but it clipped the wall and flashed over.
Alex Sandro thumped a fierce drive against a post. It was coming. Neymar miskicked and his volley skidded wide but he opened up Serbia for the first goal with a run into the area. Vinicius took it from him and forced a save and there was Richarlison. What a moment for the Tottenham man,