The 5-time champions Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win against Serbia in the Group G match at Lusail Stadium on Thursday. Brazil’s Richarlison scored 2 stunning goals against unopposed Serbia and has got 3 points in the Group stage. A second-half bolster by Richarlison with a stunning overhead bicycle kick gave the tournament favorites the best opening in the tournament.
Brazil had struggled at times in the first half, but they broke into relentless attack in the second half. Even though Raphinha had the best chances in the first half and everyone expected more from him, he couldn’t penetrate a goal. Brazil’s efforts were rewarded when their striker Richarlison scored the first goal in the 62nd minute after saving a shot by Vinicius Junior.
It was Neymar who dodged many Serbian bodies and passed the ball to Vinicius junior. But his shot was warded off. Then the ball fell to Richarlison and he didn’t miss the chance from close range to make it the first goal of the match.
Vinicius then assisted Richarlison to score another shot that is unquestionably the World Cup’s best goal so far. He blocked the ball from Vinicius with his left heel and then whips out the amazing bicycle kick. No goalkeeper in the world can save such an acrobatic effort.
The 2-0 scoreline was immensely favourable for Serbia. Brazil would have won 5-0 or even 6-0 if Raphinha had converted his chances to goals or if the long-range attempts from the exquisite Casemiro and Fred’s efforts had gone in. Brazil had eight shots on target throughout the match whereas Serbia had none.
Brazil had put on a terrifying talent show at Lusail with a bunch of breathtaking moments. Neymar was substituted in the 79th minute as a precaution after receiving too many kicks, but the team was not just depending on him because they have absolute riches all over the field and on the bench.
Having a defense like Raphinha, Richarlison, Neymar, and Vinicius and their substitutes Antony, Martinelli, Jesus, and Rodrygo, it was very difficult for Serbia to defend for about 80 minutes. Then there was Casemiro in the midfield assisted by Fred with the centre-back duo of Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, and fullbacks like Sandro and Danilo.
For Serbia, there was only Allison and if he can’t play, only Ederson was there. Serbians failed to test the Brazilian backline in the second half and they never gave much trouble to Brazil.
Brazil will face Switzerland in the next match on Monday while Serbia facing Cameroon.
