[골닷컴, 카타르 도하] Reporter Kim Hyeong-joong = Brazil’s samba corps won its first World Cup victory. Son Heung-min’s Tottenham teammate Richarlison showed the essence of Brazilian football with a fantastic goal.
Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 in the first leg of Qatar’s Group G qualifiers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, held at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 25th at 4:00 am (Korean time).
Brazil started with goalkeeper Alisson, Danilo, Marchinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Casemiro, Paqueta, Neymar, Rafinha, Vinicius Junior and Richarlison. Serbia went first with goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic, Pavlovic, Velikovic, Milenkovic, Mladenovic, Guday, Lukić, Živkovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic and Mitrovic.
From the first half, Brazil were aggressive. Starting with Neymar in the centre, several players aimed at Serbian goal, including Rafinha and Vinicius Junior left and right, and Richarlison up front. Serbia blocked Brazil’s attack with solid physicality. When Brazil attacked with an elaborate passwork, two people surrounded them and repeated to release them.
The match was decided in the second half. In the 18th minute of the second half, Richarlison scored the opener. The concentration at the gate stood out. It was a test. Lui received Vinicius Junior’s cross in the 28th minute of the second half, checked it once and rocked the net with a picturesque bicycle kick. Serbia defended well against Brazil’s attack, but a crack formed in the second half and conceded two goals in a row.
Subsequently, the Brazilian attack continued. In the 36th minute of the second half a light shot by Casemiro from in front of the arc hits the crossbar and goes wide. A minute later, substitute Rodrygo’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. In the ensuing attack, another substitute asset Fred’s shot was narrowly blocked by goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savich. As time went on, Brazil’s offensive wave continued. 41′ into the second half, Rodrygo’s shot went slightly wide.
Brazil continued to attack until the end, but failed to score one more goal. The match ended in a 2-0 victory for Brazil.
