LUSAIL: Richarlison lit up Lusail with a moment of Brazilian magic as the World Cup favourites breached stubborn Serb resistance for a 2-0 win

Brazil took an hour to find their range but then Alex Sandro hit a post minutes before Tottenham striker Richarlison turned home a close-range finish after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved Vinicius Junior’s cross-shot.

Richarlison’s crowning moment came 11 minutes later as he controlled with his left foot a pass from Vinicius before readjusting for acrobatic right-foot finish. It was no more than Brazil deserved as they dominated throughout with Casemiro also hitting the posts.

Brazil’ had arrived in Qatar accompanied by the usual huge weight of expectation but they and their fanas appeared totally at home.

Serbia, who did not have a shot on target, were already shaking when Richarlison pounced for the first goal and the game was over once he scored that exhilarating second.

Brazil could have added more as they tore holes in Serbia’s tiring defence as the game wore on but this was a satisfactory night for coach Tite.

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