Richarlison brace ignites Brazil's quest for sixth title

By Samindra Kunti in Lusail

November 25 - Stylish Brazil beat Serbia to earn a 2-0 win in Group G and confirm their status as tournament favorites in Qatar.

It was an emphatic victory for the five-time world champions, with the yellow shirts crushing the overworked Serbian defence. Brazil's second goal came in the 73rd minute and how: with flicks, more flicks, twist and supreme acrobatics. It was Richarlison's second and early contender for the goal of the tournament.

The win was a vindication for Brazilian coach Tite, who started with Lucas Paqueta instead of Fred, leaving Casemiro as his side's only defensive midfielder.

Tite therefore chose five attacking players, but his team struggled to break down Serbia in a nervous and physical first half. The match became so intense that Neymar at one point had to take his shirt off and put it back on. The Serbs rushed and harassed the Brazilians, whose polls and punches would eventually knock the Serbs out of position.

And so it was after the break, with Paqueta's adjusted position in midfield galvanizing the Brazilians, who netted twice through Tottenham's Richarlison. His second goal was superlative with movies, more movies, twist and supreme acrobatics. It's hard to imagine a better goal scored in the tournament.

After their double, Brazil went wild, with successive waves of attacks. Tite demonstrated the wealth of players at his disposal by bringing all of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo and Anthony. The speed and dazzling skill were simply too much for Serbia to handle, even though Brazil failed to find the net for the third time.

However, Neymar's sprained ankle cast a shadow over Brazil's victory.

The landslide victory was a message to rivals Brazil: the five-time world champions want to add a sixth star to their shirts, and based on Thursday's evidence, they might as well.

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