London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Sep 14, 2025

Richarlison scores stunner as Brazil make winning start to World Cup

Richarlison scores stunner as Brazil make winning start to World Cup

World Cup favourites Brazil made a winning start to their bid for glory in Qatar as they eased to a 2-0 win over Serbia.
Looking to end their 20-year drought on the biggest stage, it was a far from convincing opening period from the Selecao, going into the break with it still goalless after a half devoid of much action.

But having seen Argentina and Germany already slip-up, Brazil ensured they were not added to the upset list as Richarlison netted a second-half brace, the second a sensational volley to effectively put the match to bed.

Tite put an attacking team out for his side’s opening Group G clash, Casemiro almost a one-man midfield at times as the five players ahead of him put their focus on getting forward.

Despite the stars on show, it was a cagey 45 minutes, Serbia’s shape and doggedness more than a match for the quality in yellow. Vinicius Jr had a couple of bright moments out wide on the left, but could not produce the final ball.

The best chance of the first-half fell for Raphinha, after he combined brilliantly with Lucas Paqueta. That left the Barcelona winger clean through on goal, though the finish that followed was little more than a back-pass to Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

Brazil should really have taken the lead seconds after the restart, as Serbia were caught playing out from the back, but once again Raphinha could not provide the finish with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The pressure began to increase, as Neymar fired wide from inside the box and Sandro’s effort from distance thumped back off the inside of the post and away to safety.

Serbia could not hold on though, the goal coming just after the hour mark. Vinicius’ low strike was palmed out into the six-yard box, where Richarlison was waiting to turn it into the empty net to continue his strong goalscoring run at international level.

There was nothing simple about his finish for the second goal, a stunning strike to put Brazil in complete control. The Tottenham man took one touch to control the cross from Vinicius with his back to goal, and a second to send a brilliant scissor-kick into the bottom corner.

The mood was slightly soured almost immediately as Neymar went off after going down, limping off the pitch to spark concerns over his fitness.

Brazil threatened to really run away with it in the closing stages, Casemiro curling a wonderful strike against the bar before Rodrygo twice went close as the space opened up. Serbia were relieved when the final whistle came, their goal difference not too severely damaged.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Murdoch Family Finalises $3.3 Billion Succession Pact, Ensuring Eldest Son’s Leadership
Big Oil Slashes Jobs and Investments Amid Prolonged Low Crude Prices
Court Staff Cover Up Banksy Image of Judge Beating a Protester
Social Media Access Curtailed in Turkey After CHP Calls for Rallies Following Police Blockade of Istanbul Headquarters
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
Elon Musk Poised to Become First Trillionaire Under Ambitious Tesla Pay Plan
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Burning the Minister’s House Helped Protesters to Win Justice: Prabowo Fires Finance Minister in Wake of Indonesia Protests
Brazil Braces for Fallout from Bolsonaro Trial by corrupted judge
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
Nearly 40 Years Later: Nike Changes the Legendary Slogan Just Do It
×