Brazil head over heels for Richarlison after double delight
Tottenham stiker ensures Tite’s men avoid another Qatar shock start
BRAZIL kicked off their Qatar campaign with victory thanks to a Richarlison double which ensured there would be no Samba slip- up after a week packed with World Cup upsets. Selecao boss Tite would have no doubt been sweating over a nightmare opening against Serbia having watched Argentina stumble against Saudi Arabia and Germany toppled by Japan earlier this week.
But the 61- year- old could breathe a major sigh of relief as Richarlison and Co turned on the style in a dominant second period to make a flawless start to the group stage in Qatar.
It was anything but plain sailing however, with Brazil lacking the cutting edge in a first half bereft of quality with little more than halfchances on offer against a resolute Serb backline.
Brazil boasted an irresistible frontline with a wealth of talents so deep in measure that Roberto Firmino didn’t make the cut, by half- time Tite may have been wishing he could turn to the Liverpool superstar.
Barcelona winger Raphina was the first to be gifted a golden chance to strike for his country, but his 34th- minute effort proved a microcosm of a disappointing first 45 minutes as his tame effort rolled into the arms of Vanja Milinkovic- Savic. Opposite winger Vinicius Junior suffered a similarly blunt opening period as he also fluffed his lines when he failed to take aim after pinching the ball from Nikola Milenkovic on the edge of the box.
Tite coined the unusual phrase of striker Richarlison having the “smell of goals” in the build- up to the World Cup bow – by the break it was smelling salts Brazil required to wake up a side who looked set to sleepwalk towards another potential shock upset.
Whatever was said at the break certainly did jolt the tournament favourites into life. Within 60 seconds of the restart Brazil went closer than in the entire first half. Raphina raced into the box to take aim but Milinkovic- Savic was on hand to deny an opener with a smart stop.
It was waves of attacks from then on as Brazil turned up the pressure and went from looking like they’d fail to score if they played until midnight to a matter of when and not if.
Full- back Alex Sandro sent Serbia a major warning shot on the hour as he was inches away from a stunning opener and classic World Cup moment. The Juventus defender launched an ambitious low drive from 35 yards which had MilinkovicSavic well beaten but struck the base of the post and bounced clear.
Serbia wouldn’t escape another Brazil attack. Poster boy Neymar was heavily involved as his neat footwork earned him space in the box – but Vinicius Jr nipped in to lash at goal. The Real Madrid winger’s effort was turned away again by Milinkovic- Savic but there was no stopping Richarlison made no mistake as he pounced on the rebound to slam home from close range.
It wasn’t a goal of quality or Samba flair often attributed to Brazilian squads on the world stage – but it was crucially important as it
all but ended the match as a contest. Serbia looked knocked for six while Brazil continued to grow and began to flourish with the pressure eased by the uncharacteristically scrappy strike to break the deadlock.
If the first was a case of needs must, the second was a work of art and might go down as the goal of the tournament. Vinicius Jr sent a speculative low cross towards Richarlison who had a power of work left to do but he was up for the challenge as he killed the tie with a spectacular overhead kick. The Everton frontman controlled brilliantly with his left to tee up and acrobatic effort as he contorted his body to find the bottom corner with a special effort. It was game over on the night, but very much game on for the tournament with Brazil then sending out a message to their world rivals with a breathless final 15 minutes filled with thrills, skills and unrelenting pressure.
Casemiro was the next to try his luck for a goal to rival team- mate Richarlison’s moment of magic and he nearly managed it as he sent a curling strike from the edge of the box cannoning off the bar.
Seconds later and Brazil were again queuing up to have a go. Rodrygo – who impressed in a cameo appearance – sent a low effort arrowing towards the bottom corner but Milinkovic- Savic was on hand to deny a third as he continued his efforts in damage limitation. Manchester United midfielder Fred would then take aim from 25 yards out having been afforded far too much space by a defeated Serbia rearguard but again he was thwarted by another clever stop.
While this wasn’t the complete performance, it was enough for Brazil to spark their quest to end a 20- year wait for World Cup glory. And with a number of players, including Neymar, not hitting the peak of their ability there was more than enough to show the Selecao are serious contenders in Qatar.