World Cup favourites Brazil made a winning start to their bid for glory in Qatar as they eased to a 2-0 win over Serbia.
Looking to
end their 20-year drought on the biggest stage, it was a far from convincing
opening period from the Selecao, going into the break with it still goalless
after a half devoid of mu ch action.
But having
seen Argentina and Germany already slip-up, Brazil ensured they were not added
to the upset list as Richarlison netted a second-half brace, the second a
sensational volley to effectively put the match to bed.
Tite put an
attacking team out for his side’s opening Group G clash, Casemiro almost a
one-man midfield at times as the five players ahead of him put their focus on
getting forward.
Despite the
stars on show, it was a cagey 45 minutes, Serbia’s shape and doggedness more
than a match for the quality in yellow. Vinicius Jr had a couple of bright
moments out wide on the left, but could not produce the final ball.
The best
chance of the first-half fell for Raphinha, after he combined brilliantly with
Lucas Paqueta. That left the Barcelona winger clean through on goal, though the
finish that followed was little more than a back-pass to Vanja
Milinkovic-Savic.
Brazil
should really have taken the lead seconds after the restart, as Serbia were
caught playing out from the back, but once again Raphinha could not provide the
finish with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The pressure
began to increase, as Neymar fired wide from inside the box and Sandro’s effort
from distance thumped back off the inside of the post and away to safety.
Serbia could
not hold on though, the goal coming just after the hour mark. Vinicius’ low
strike was palmed out into the six-yard box, where Richarlison was waiting to
turn it into the empty net to continue his strong goalscoring run at
international level.
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