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    Soccer News: Brazil 2-0 Serbia: Richarlison double as Seleção make a winning start in Group G

    Richarlison scored twice as Brazil started their World Cup campaign with a routine 2–0 victory over Serbia.

    The Tottenham striker broke the deadlock by scoring from close range just past the hour mark at the legendary Lusail Stadium.

    Richarlison then sealed the points with a stunning acrobatics stunt with 17 minutes remaining as Tite’s team took Group G victory.

    The Seleção remain undefeated in their first match of the final since 1934, when they lost 3–1 to Spain in the first round.

    Unbeaten in the last 15 games of the World Cup group stage, Brazil controlled the first half but didn’t create many scoring opportunities.

    Casemiro landed an ambitious shot on Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from a distance, while the Serbian goalkeeper quickly pulled away from his line to prevent Vinicius Junior from catching an accurate pass from Thiago Silva.

    In the 35th minute, Seleção cut through the opponent’s defense with a neat double shot between Rafinha and Lucas Paqueta, but the Barcelona striker could only shoot straight at Milinkovic-Savic.

    Brazil was a big threat after the break. Milinkovic-Savic saved Serbia by rebounding Rafinha, who stripped Nemanja Gudel from outside his box, with Neymar shooting wide from close range.

    Alex Sandro hit the post from 30 yards before the Samba Boys finally broke through in the 62nd minute; Richarlison scored after Milinkovic-Savic parried Vinicius’ initial shot.

    Richarlison then decisively gave Brazil a breather 11 minutes later; controlling Vinicius’s low, hard cross with his left foot before pivoting and sending a magnificent acrobatic volley into the bottom corner of his right.

    Tite’s team almost extended their lead when Casemiro hit the crossbar and Milinkovic-Savic rebounded from Rodrigo, but the difference of two goals was enough to climb to the top of Group G.

    What does it mean? Brazil will eventually claim its superiority

    Brazil registered 22 shots against just four from their rivals, but just two goals were enough to score maximum points for Tite, who became the first coach to lead the South American giants in consecutive World Cups since Tele Santana (1982 and 1986).

    Meanwhile, Serbia have lost eight of their 10 final matches since 2006, with only Australia (nine) recording more in that period.

    Richarlison’s rich form continues

    Chosen ahead of Gabriel Jesus to lead Brazil’s line, Richarlison seized the opportunity with both hands, sealing the win with two contrasting shots.

    The Tottenham striker became the first Selecao player since Neymar eight years earlier to score twice on his World Cup debut and has now scored nine times in his last seven international appearances.

    Neymar is a marked man again

    Despite being sent off with 10 minutes left, Neymar is already the player with the most fouls in this year’s World Cup, having drawn nine during that competition – four more than any other player.

    The Paris Saint-Germain striker will be disappointed by not scoring. But he appeared in a game-high 20 matches, while only Vinicius (four) registered more shots on goal (three).

    What’s next?

    Both teams returned to Group G on Monday. Brazil is looking to build on its winning start against Switzerland while Serbia is looking for a response against Cameroon.

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