Brazil beats Serbia after superb second half

By Ignacio Portes

Brazil justified its status as favorite to win the World Cup with a dominant 2-0 win against Serbia. After a first half with few scoring opportunities, two second-half goals from forward Richarlison ended resistance from Serbia, who did not pose any serious attacking threat throughout the game’s 90 minutes.

Richarlison had a quiet game until he became decisive, scoring a poachers’ goal to open the deadlock after 60 minutes, and securing the win with an outstanding scissors kick that will undoubtedly be among the top strikes of the tournament.

One reason for worry came near the end of the match, when star striker Neymar seemed to twist his ankle, and was pictured in severe pain on the sidelines as Brazil’s medical staff applied ice to his injury.

Brazilian manager Tite tried to make use of his attacking wealth, playing Casemiro as the sole defensive-minded midfielder ahead of the team’s back four. Alongside him was the more creative Paquetá.

Prior to the game, Serbian coach Dragan Stojkovic said the high number of forwards made him curious to see how Brazil would defend. But with wingers Raphinha and Vinícius Jr. moving back into a 4-4-2 when the team lost the football, Brazil were able to secure a solid defense and avoid any opposition chances. 

Serbia initially closed down space with a 5-3-2 formation, and only surgical between-the-lines passes from Casemiro, and defender Thiago Silva managed to create some danger in the first half hour.

The answer to that defensive puzzle was Paquetá, whose quick touch and movement created two good chances for Raphinha and one for Richarlison, as Brazil’s dominance grew with every passing minute.

By the second half, it was all Brazil. Full-backs moved into attacking positions and Alex Sandro hit the post from long range, as Serbians tired and defensive mistakes increased.

The goals also came from the left. Neymar’s dribble found Vinícius, and Richarlison tapped in the goalkeeper’s rebound for the opener, while the same trio combined for the exquisite second, with Richarlison showing quality to control with his left, acrobatics to turn his body, and power to thump a violent scissor kick past Vanja Milinković-Savić.

The goal forced Serbia to attack, leaving space for Brazil’s lightning-fast wingers, who missed several chances, while Casemiro also hit the crossbar. 

Oddsmakers placed Brazil as four-to-one favorites to win the tournament, and the team will now move on to face Switzerland and Cameroon in its last two Group G games, looking to secure first place and move on to the knockout stages.

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