Brazil made a positive start to their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign after defeating Serbia 2-0 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Thursday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Date: 24 November 2022
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium
The Selecao started with very attacking line-up that included Neymar, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and Richarlison, with an equally star-studded bench, that had the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo and Antony.
Tite's charges had a relatively slow start, with the Eagles not giving them time and space on the ball.
However, Brazil eventually got into their stride with a big chance on 26 minutes after a splitting pass by Thiago Silva released Vinicius Junior clear on goal in the box but goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic quickly came off his line and smothered the chance.
With momentum on their side, the Selecao should have taken the lead ten minutes before the interval after Raphinha exchanged passes with Lucas Paqueta to sneak through on goal but he fired a tame shot at Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Dragan Stojkovic's men grew in the game in the latter phase of the first stanza, as they launched threatening counter-attacks but target man Mitrovic was always out-numbered and they could not test shot-stopper Alisson.
Brazil were unrelenting coming from the half-time break and Alex Sandro came very close to breaking the deadlock on the hour-mark with a thumping shot from out of the box that beat Vanja Milinkovic-Savic but rattled the post.
Tite's troops eventually took the lead a couple of minutes later after Richarlison reacted the quickest to a rebound from shot by Vinicius Junior to secure his first World Cup goal.
Selecao revelled in the space they had going forward, as Richarlison doubled their lead on 73 minutes with a stunning scissors kick after a cross by Vinicius Junior with the outside of his boot.
Brazil had the luxury of introducing Jesus, Rodrygo and Antony off the bench in the closing stages, with Neymar seemingly going off due to injury after he limped off the pitch with a grimace all over his face.
The Selecao remained a threat in attack as Casemiro was unfortunate not to make it 3-0 nine minutes before time with a curling shot from range that came off the crossbar.
The South American giants finished the game strongly, as they kicked off their Group G campaign on a winning note.
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