QATAR: In their opening World Cup game on Thursday at the Lusail Stadium, tournament favourites Brazil defeated Serbia 2-0 thanks to a second-half brace from Richarlison, which included an incredible aerial scissor kick.
The record-holding five-time champions struggled in the first half, but they erupted into a relentless attack in the second.
Their efforts were rewarded when Richarlison, a striker for Tottenham Hotspur, scored the game’s first goal in the 62nd minute after a shot by Vinicius Junior was saved.
Vinicius then assisted Richarlison in scoring again in the 73rd minute with an incredible acrobatic attempt that is unquestionably the World Cup’s best goal so far.
After the 25-year-old was forced off the field with a calf injury while playing for Spurs in a Premier League match against his previous team Everton in the middle of October, there were concerns he wouldn’t make the Brazil squad for the competition.
“I was in tears and unsure whether I would come four weeks ago. One of the slowest days of my life was the day I had my tests because I was waiting on a stretcher there,” Richarlison said.
Tite’s (Brazil Coach) choice to start four forwards in his attacking lineup—Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, and Richarlison—paid off handsomely as the South Americans dominated the game and forced Serbia to work hard each time they advanced.
“The doctors were going past, and I was just nervously waiting. All the work I put into my healing was worthwhile. Three sessions every day. I was adamant that I would attend the World Cup”, he added.
Upcoming FIFA Matches Today (IST)
Wales Vs. Iran at 3:30 pm
Qatar Vs. Senegal at 6.30 pm
Netherlands Vs. Ecuador at 9.30 pm
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Portugal Prevails in Extra Time Thriller against Ghana
