By Samindra Kunti in Lusail
November 25 – A stylish Brazil breezed past Serbia to clinch a 2-0 group G win and confirm their status as tournament favourites in Qatar.
It was an emphatic victory for the five-time world champions, the yellow shirts overwhelming the overworked Serbian defence. Brazil’s second goal arrived in the 73rd minute and how: with flicks, more flicks, a twist, and supreme acrobatics. It was Richarlison’s second and an early contender for the goal of the tournament.
The victory was vindication for Brazil coach Tite, who started with Lucas Paqueta instead of Fred, leaving Casemiro as the only defensive midfielder in his team.
Tite, thus, picked five attacking players, but his team found it difficult to break down Serbia in a nervous and physical first half. The match got so intense that Neymar at one point had to take off his shirt and put it back on. The Serbians hurried and harried the Brazilians, whose probing and poking were eventually going to drag the Serbians out of position.
And so it did, after the break, with Paqueta’s adjusted position in the midfield galvanizing the Brazilians, who scored twice through Tottenham’s Richarlison. His second goal was superlative with flicks, more flicks, a twist, and supreme acrobatics. It’s hard to see imagine a better goal being scored at the tournament.
After his brace, Brazil ran riot, with wave after wave of attack. Tite demonstrated the wealth of players at his disposal by bringing on all of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo and Anthony. The speed and dazzling skill were simply too much to deal with for Serbia, even if Brazil didn’t find the net for the third time.
However, Neymar’s sprained ankle injury cast a shadow over Brazil’s win.
The barnstorming victory was a message to Brazil’s rivals – the five-time world champions want to add a sixth star to their shirt, and based on Thursday’s evidence they might just as well.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734864467labto1734864467ofdlr1734864467owedi1734864467sni@i1734864467tnuk.1734864467ardni1734864467mas1734864467