Match report
A hard-fought affair at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday night ultimately culminated in Brazil kicking their pursuit of World Cup glory into gear with a victory, over a game Serbia outfit.
The star-studded Selecao have of course headed into the Qatar showpiece boasting the title of favourites, eyeing a record sixth triumph on the biggest stage of them all.
In turn, after fellow South American heavyweights Argentina fell to a shock opening day defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia, Tite’s troops were no doubt wary of a similar slip up of their own.
After an opening 45 minutes which saw Serbia stand firm to rebuff a talent-laden Brazilian frontline, though, the talent on display for the Selecao, when all was said and done, simply proved too much.
Richarlison, for this part, proved the star of the show, notching both goals en route to an eventual 2-0 result.
The Tottenham Hotspur star’s first arrived just beyond the hour mark, after some fine work on the part of teammates Neymar and Vinicus Jr.
RICHARLISON BREAKS THE DEADLOCK FOR BRAZIL🇧🇷
Brazil takes the lead as Richarlison puts away Vinícius Júnior’s deflected shot.
🎥 @FOXSoccer | #FIFAWorldCuppic.twitter.com/srIPsNzgJ3
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 24, 2022
Brazil, in turn, have taken an early lead atop the Group G table, clear of 2nd-placed Switzerland by way of goal difference.
Richarlison! What have you done?! 🤯#FIFAWorldCup | @richarlison97 pic.twitter.com/kCKFdlINXq
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022
One major source of concern, though, was forthcoming on the personnel front, upon talisman Neymar being forced to limp out of proceedings with a nasty-looking ankle injury.
Player ratings
Brazil
- Alisson – 6
- Danilo – 6
- Marquinhos – 6.5
- Thiago Silva – 7
- Alex Sandro – 6.5
- Casemiro – 8
- Paqueta – 7
- Raphinha – 6.5
- Neymar – 6
- Vinicius Jr – 7.5
- Richarlison – 9
Serbia
- V. Milinkovic-Savic – 6.5
- Milenkovic – 6.5
- Veljkovic – 5.5
- Pavlovic – 6
- Gudelj – 4.5
- S. Milinkovic-Savic – 5.5
- Lukic – 5.5
- Zivkovic – 5
- Mladenovic – 5
- Tadic – 6
- Mitrovic – 5
Key stats
🇧🇷 Brazil haven’t lost their opening World Cup game since 1934#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/IdPksNGR3z
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 24, 2022
Gudelj is replaced and we have the complete -ić XI. #SRB https://t.co/wuj2CvqkAf
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 24, 2022
Richarlison has eight goals in his last seven Brazil games.
As Tite put it, “He smells of goals…”👃 pic.twitter.com/W1LyHW3dyZ
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 24, 2022
6 – Since 1966, @Vinijr 🇧🇷 has become in the sixth Brazilian player to provide an assist in his #WorldCup debut after Douglas Costa in 2018, Elano in 2010, Cicinho & Gilberto in 2006, and Paulo Isidoro in 1982. Star. pic.twitter.com/Xoku89AuLt
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 24, 2022
Fan reaction
Brazil went from strikers like R9 and Romario to RICHARLISON. Someone please save our beautiful sport before it’s too late
— Eden (@theKloppEnd_) November 24, 2022
I won’t pretend to be objective here but Jesus seems obviously better than richarlison and Raphina
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) November 24, 2022
Squad 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/jPEzMTD4cs
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 24, 2022
Surely Brazil can produce better fullbacks than Sandro and Danilo
— . (@utdcynical) November 24, 2022
Goal of the tournament! 😍 pic.twitter.com/0MbMZ5L8Ub
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 24, 2022
Every day I thank Florentino Pérez for signing Vinicius.
— Ele (@EleModric) November 24, 2022
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 24, 2022
Neymar’s ankle… pic.twitter.com/qXNvMIPPeU
— TC (@totalcristiano) November 24, 2022
Neymar looks to be in pain 🤕 pic.twitter.com/MIKMmjRf7z
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 24, 2022
