Talking Points as the Selecao begin their 2022 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win

Brazil began their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Serbia in a Group G fixture at Lusail Stadium on Thursday night. After a goalless first half, Richarlison broke the deadlock just after the hour mark. And then, 17 minutes from time, the Tottenham Hotspur-man doubled the lead with his second of the night courtesy of a brilliant overhead kick. The five-time champions dominated the game from the start to the end, recording 22 attempts on goal, with eight of them on target. The result helped Tite’s side to move to the top of Group G with three points to their name, while Switzerland, who had defeated Cameroon 1-0, earlier in the day, are occupying the second spot. The Selecao have now extended their winning streak to eight games across all competitions, while Serbia suffered their first defeat in seven outings. 

🇧🇷 Brazil takes the lead early on in Group G#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022

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Richarlison nets a brace

Richarlison was clinical in front of goal as the Spurs-man, who had just three touches inside the box till 75 minutes, managed to find the back of the net twice. The opening goal was a simple tap-in from inside the box in the 62nd minute. Neymar dribbled past a couple of players before the ball fell nicely for Vinicius on the left side of the penalty box, the 22-year-old’s low right-footed shot was brilliantly kept out by the Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but Richarlison was lurking in front of goal to slot home from close range. And then, 11 minutes later, the 24-year-old forward doubled the lead with a stunning acrobatic strike. Vinicius’ low cross from the left found Richarlison inside the box, although the former Everton-man’s first touch wasn’t great as the ball bounced off his left foot, he quickly adjusted his body to slot home with an overhead kick. 

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A unanimous choice after THAT goal 🇧🇷

The @Budweiser Player of the Match is @richarlison97!@BudFootball #YoursToTake #Budweiser #POTM pic.twitter.com/Iq02RdpMuB

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 24, 2022

Serbia put up a good fight in the first half

Serbia, who had earned a spot in the finals of the tournament courtesy of securing top spot in Group A of the UEFA qualifiers, ahead of Portugal, looked determined not to concede in the first half and succeeded. At times the Selecao were forced to test V. Milinkovic- Savic with long-rangers as they struggled to get inside the box.  Meanwhile, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was Serbia’s top scorer during the qualifiers, gave Thiago Silva and Marquinhos a tough time but the service into his path was not good enough from the midfielders. 

Brazil’s defence did a fine job

Tite’s team defended pretty well to restrict the opposition to zero shots on target. While defending, the team shifted to a 4-4-2 formation with the wingers Raphinha and Vinicius coming back and supporting the back-four. The back-four marshalled by the 38-year-old Silva looked compact and disciplined. It was surprising to see that the full-backs Alex Sandro and Danilo didn’t join the attack as much as you would have expected them to. Meanwhile Mitrovic, who was returning from an ankle injury, lacked the pace to test Brazil’s defence from the counter-attacks. Serbia head coach Dragan Strajkovic might have missed a trick by not starting with Dusan Vlahovic, who had the pace to burn.