Richarlison started against Serbia as Brazil’s World Cup campaign began amid questions over his place in the team following Gabriel Jesus’ stunning season and Roberto Firmino’s omission
Richarlison scores a stunner for Brazil against Serbia at the World Cup (Image: Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
With such an array of attacking talent for Brazil, Richarlison’s inclusion as the starting No.9 will always raise questions, especially given Gabriel Jesus’ goalscoring form for Arsenal this season and Roberto Firmino being left out of the squad entirely.
The Spurs striker was tasked with leading the line for Brazil, offered support in attack by Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and, of course, Neymar. Though Tite’s side were fluid in attack with Richarlison occasionally roaming, he was very much the No.9. Raphinha hugged the right touchline, Neymar dropped deep into midfield and the Real Madrid winger raised the tempo a couple of times in the opening 15 minutes with driving runs.
The first half passed without too much action for the Spurs striker, with his teammates struggling to get him into the game – his 12 touches in the opening period the lowest of any player on the pitch. It wasn’t for a lack of trying with some good runs made, but Serbia stood strong in defence, forcing Brazil wide without too much penetration.
He played a part in one of Brazil’s clearest chances of the first half, coming deep to hold the ball before playing wide to Raphinha, who then played a one-two with Lucas Paqueta before firing a tame effort at goal.
Richarlison’s first action in the second half was to pick up a loose ball and run with it towards goal, but he held on too long and was dispossessed when he should have found a teammate. In the following minutes he saw a close-range effort from a corner blocked.
The striker’s first big moment came just after the hour mark, tucking into an unguarded net after Vinicius Jnr’s shot was saved by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. The striker stayed onside and reacted first to stab the ball home from the six-yard line in a central position.
The 25-year-old’s role as the lone man up front didn’t give him much focus throughout the game – but it did allow him to be at the right place at the right time to put Brazil into the lead. It was not the prettiest goal and will not last long in the memory of many. But is the type that poachers can build a career on; the sort that won Gary Lineker a Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup.
And he followed it up with a moment of magic to really silence the doubters with just under 20 minutes remaining. Vinicius Jnr’s cross was slightly behind the striker around the penalty spot. One touch up into the air and an acrobatic volley sealed the win for the Selecao.
It was a goal to light up a game that had been sorely lacking in quality, reminiscent of the Brazilian greats of old; a goal Ronaldinho and Rivaldo would have been proud of.
His doubters will point to the first-half performance as evidence for others to start ahead of him, but it was a case of job done for both Richarlison and Brazil against Serbia, with Gabriel Jesus replacing him 10 minutes before the end of normal time.
