Brazil vs Serbia summary: Richarlison overhead kick, score, goals and highlights | World Cup 2022
Brazil vs Serbia: as it happened
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Follow live-text coverage of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where Argentina and France will battle it out for the trophy at Lusail Stadium. Joe Brennan will be providing all the pre-match news and comprehensive commentary of the game.
Follow Brazil vs Switzerland live
Don't miss the action of Brazil's second game against Switzerland, live HERE.
OK, everyone! That's all from me tonight! Thank you so much for joining me and I'll be back for more World Cup action tomorrow!
Joe
Casemiro post-match comments
"It was a difficult game today, we had most of the control, especially in the second half, but we missed a few easy passes early on."
"The second half was a lot more complete, we competed well for 90 minutes."
"I want to say well done to Richarlison but also to all the players who came on during the game, they all showed that they are up to the level and able to compete, this is what Brazil is about."
It's a World Cup, there is always going to be nerves. We have to respect the rival, they're a good team."
"I haven't spoken to Neymar, I hope he's OK. He's a great player for us."
Neymar injury update
The brazil team doctor has confirmed that Neymar has suffered an ankle sprain.
The extent of the injury is not known.
The full article on the Neymar injury will be posted on en.as.com
Richarlison's post-match commments:
"Playing and scoring in a World Cup has been a dream I have had since I was a kid"
"We had a great game, especially in the second half when we took advantage of their tiredness."
"Now it's time to think about the second game, it's time to rest and prepare well because all the games are important."
Brazil aren't short of forwards, that's for sure
Neymar would be a huge loss, but Vinicius showed he's got the ability to cause chaos in the yellow shirt.
Not great news for Ney
Neymar was seen after the game with an inflamed ankle, but was able to walk. Vinicius and Casemiro both hope he will be OK, but the medical staff will keep a close watch on the PSG forward over the next few days and hope he can be back for the next game against Switzerland.
The World Cup twitter person had a nice view of the strike
Not bad, eh!
Was the Richarlison goal the best one we've seen at the World Cup so far?
Al-Dawsari's strike against Argentina was pretty special, but I think the Richarlison one was the best.
What do you think? Let us know @English_AS or @j4brennan on Twitter.
Vinicius post-match comments:
"I am very happy. It was incredible. I didn't think it would be so good. We have to keep working."
"I was only thinking about working hard, and it didn't seem like a World Cup, just like another game."
"[Neymar] took a hit but hopefully he is OK. He will do everything to be with us. He is our most important player."
"We have to keep going game by game to achieve big things."
I suppose the only question marks regarding that game are the potential injuries to Neymar and Danilo, who both finished the game in noticeable pain.
As soon as anything is known, AS USA will tell you.
Brazil's next game is on Monday 28 November against Switzerland at 11am ET / 8am PT. / 5pm CEST
Richarlison's numbers
My Sofascore friends, thank you for this.
But you forgot to add: 1 GOLAZO
And that's all!
FT: Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Five-time champions get off to a perfect start after two goals from Richarlison sealed the game against Serbia.
If the first half was a Brazilian shower, then the second half was a storm. Brazil's press never let up until the last part of the game when the tie was already won and Tite's side relentlessly dismantled a sorry-looking Serbia who could never find the time or space to get going.
Richarlison will steal the headlines and front page photos but credit has to go to the entire side, especially the front four, whose defensive work from the front maintained the team's strict mentality and made sure nobody switched off in a game that had the potential to be a banana skin.
Serbia will be disappointed as they failed to create but they will have better chances against Switzerland and Cameroon; if Brazil play like that in their next two games, then they will no doubt be leaving the group stage with 9 points.
And I got through the entire game without mentioning 'samba football' once.
We're into the last minute. Gabriel Jesus penalised for a foul on Pavlovic.
Rodrygo sends a cross in from the left - but I thought Antony and Martinelli...
Cleared away.
Danilo looks to be injured, but Brazil have no more changes.
He is practically unable to play. Just left a ball to Marquinhos that was for him.
Brazil playing with 10 men.
Alisson flaps at a cross and takes down Alex Sandro.
7 minutes added on.
Some nice, relaxed possession from Brazil, giving me time to type this.
Olés from the crowd. Olé's from Joe, too, because I finally have time to write.
Into the last minute.
An amazing run from Martinelli down the left wing (you thought Antony was playing there - yeah, me too; the pitch is a yellow blur right now) and his cross almost finds Jesus, but it's cleared away.
Brazil's final change
OFF: Raphinha
ON: Martinelli
CLOSE FROM RODRYGO
Antony does fantastically well to skip past two defenders on the left and drop the ball off to Rodrygo, whose shot floats over.
Some shooting statistics
Brazil: 22 shots; 10 on goal
Serbia: 3 shots; 0 on goal
That tells a story of the second half.
FRED WITH A CHANCE
He finds himself alone on the edge of the box, thinks 'why not?' and smacks one towards the corner.
Milinkovic Savic to the rescue, again.
CASEMIRO OFF THE CROSSBAR
Some nice play on the edge of the box and Casemiro strokes a shot with his instep - with seemingly no power - that crashes off the bar.
Antony has come onto the left wing; Rodrygo is in the middle.
Into the last ten minutes... will we see another goal?
OFF: Neymar (hopefully he's not injured, he was down for a while there)
ON: Antony
A pause in play while Neymar is down.
There were some subs in all that madness:
OFF: Lucas Paquetá, Vini Jr, Richarlison
ON: Fred, Rodrygo, G. Jesus
Vinicius goes to take on the defender in his usual space on the left wing.
He fires in a cross with the outside of his foot and Richarlison controls the ball with the inside of his left foot before spinning around, and firing an overhead kick with his right into the corner of the goal.
Unbelievable!
GGGOOOOOLLLLAAAZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
WHAT A GOAL FROM RICHARLISON
THE STADIUM HAS ERUPTED IN NOISE
Brazil are perhaps starting to look a tiny bit tired, which is normal given how well they've pressed for over an hour.
Just under twenty minutes to go...
Another corner for Serbia; all the big men are in the box.
And it's very dangerous! Chances galore as 3 players head the ball left and right across the goal line but Brazil clear.
Corner for Serbia after good work from Vlahovic. This is perhaps where they could find some joy.
Headed over by Pavlovic, who's been excellent today.
BIG CHANCE FOR BRAZIL!
Vinicius breaks away on his own but slips just as he makes contact with the ball.
We've all been there, Vini.
Serbia make changes
OFF: Mladenovic and Lukic
ON: Vlahovic and Lazovic
Lukic goes into the book after shouting very loudly at the referee.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL RICHARLISON!!!!!!
Neymar dances past one, two, three players on the edge of the box before Vinicius steps in and whips a shot to the far post. The goalkeeper gets down to low to stop it but Richarlison is sniffing around and smacks in the rebound.
Deadlock broken!
That is Richarlison's 18th goal for Brazil.
Brazil are still causing all sorts of issue for Serbia with their high press. The goalkeeper has just resorted (again) to playing an aimless long ball straight to Danilo after being pressured by Richarlison.
ALEX SANDRO HITS THE POST!
A shot from 30 metres smacks off the left post after catching Milinkovic Savic - and everyone else inside the Lusail Stadium - by surprise.
Neymar is brought down after a snaking run in the middle of the pitch. The Serbians got annoyed.
The corner is cleared well by Paquetá.
Radonjic almost makes an instant impact as a cross from the left almost finds him inside the box. Alex Sandro clears.
Serbia changes
OFF: Zivkovic and Gudelj
ON: Ilic, Radonjic
Another chance!
A practically identical set-up to the previous one: Vinicius finds space on the left, but this time his low cross to Neymar is hit wide.
They're getting closer...
Chance!
Vinicius bursts away on the left wing, somehow keeping the ball in play first on the touchline and then the byline after two defenders try to squash him.
He puts a cross in for Neymar but the PSG forward's header misses the ball and he lands on the ground with a splat.
What a tackle from Pavlovic on Raphinha!
He was away inside the box and the defender's last-second effort was perfectly timed. Another match-saving tackle.
Against the wall!
Corner.
Neymar puts the ball in and Richarlison swings a boot towards it, but it's cleared.
Yellow for Gudelj after a blatant foul on Neymar right on the edge of the box.
He had to make the challenge as the winger was away. This is a huge chance, perfectly placed for a shot on the left of the box.
Neymar over the ball...
ONE VS ONE SAVED BY MILINKOVIC SAVIC
RAPHINHA MISSED A CLEAR CHANCE! WHAT A SAVE!
A huge defensive error leaves Raphinha one versus one with the Serbia goalkeeper who pulls off an amazing save to keep the score level.
The referee blew the whistle to start the game and about 50% of the players had no idea what was happening. Me neither.
We're off!
The players are back in the tunnel for the second half...
Serbia's solid defending
While Brazil have had all of the ball and all of the skills, they haven't scored all of the goals. They haven't scored any, in fact. Well done to Serbia.
I told you the crowd was looking good at the Lusail Stadium!
And there are a lot more than just these guys!
And that's all!
HT: Brazil 0-0 Serbia
How is everyone doing after that?
A breathtaking half, at times, Brazil look lively and full of energy. They've attacked constantly down the left, right and middle and have made Serbia sweat all game.
Having said that, Serbia have kept them at bay for the most part, and Brazil have only had maybe one truly clear chance, when Vinicius was played in by Thiago Silva.
Serbia haven't had anything really in terms of attacking presence, Mitrovic and Tadic have struggled to see any of the ball as the midfield can't hold it for more than 5 seconds. That's due to the excellent press of the Brazilians, starting with the Fantastic Four up front.
It will be interesting to see if Tite changes anything for the second half, as while Brazil have had a large amount of the ball and found gaps on many occasions, they have not had many crystal clear opportunities to break the deadlock.
1 minute added. A nice, normal number of minutes, like how things used to be.
Tadic is almost played in by Milinkovic Savic (the other one, not the goalkeeper), but instead of trapping the ball, he falls over. Everybody laughs.
One minute plus added time to go.
Brazil look so comfortable on the ball in forward area, and Lucas Paquetá is doing a lovely job at stepping into the forward line as the other Brazilian players rotate around him like planets. It's giving Neymar a lot of space in deep areas to attack.
Yellow, football-playing planets, wearing socks. Maybe that's not the greatest simile.
BIG CHANCE FOR VINI
Vinicius steals the ball from Milenkovic after he kicks the ball at his own face. His shot is blocked by the defender who got back in time, but that was close.
Neymar has an angry staring contest with the linesman after he gives a throw-in to Serbia. The referee won.
Serbia need to find a way to calm these Brazil players down. They're on fire at the moment.
If you don't want a confident Brazilian winger running at you on a football pitch in the middle of the desert, then you definitely don't want 4.
I know I wouldn't.
HUGE CHANCE FOR RAPHINHA
The Barcelona winger plays an absolutely beautiful one-two with Paquetá on the edge of the box but his shot is very weak. He should do better there, given the ability he has to score from distance.
Neymar is having a great time out there, he is playing with such confidence. Flicks and twists and turns at every moment.
Brazil go close again! They're moving through the gears now.
A lovely backheel flick form Paquetá puts Raphinha through down the right wing. He fires in a low cross and Neymar slides to meet it, but the Serbia goalkeeper is first to the ball.
Half chance for Brazil!
Some calm possession had me fooled, until a long ball from Alex Sandro found Raphinha, whose cross was cleared. Vini and Neymar were waiting there. Good defending.
HUGE CHANCE FOR BRAZIL
VINICIUS HAS A 1v1 SAVED BY MILINKOVIC SAVIC
Thiago Silva slipped fantastic a ball in the left channel for Vini Jr to collect, but the Serbian goalkeeper came out like a pouncing jaguar to push the ball away.
(Quite) Close from Serbia!
Alisson comes to collect a cross that was floated in from the right - it's as close as they've got so far.
The referee gives a foul for a shove on the goalkeeper from Mitrovic.
Raphinha almost gets away down the right wing but Pavlovic does well to put his frankly giant frame in between the ball and the attacker.
Neymar gets a huge cheer from the crowd (that is mostly yellow and singing a lovely tune) after he presses well.
An attack from Serbia!
Well, a bit. They got within 30 metres of the goal before Alex Sandro stole the ball.
Shot from Casemiro from distance!
Safely held by Milinkovic Savic.
I know I've not said much about Serbia, but Brazil's press is so intense that every time I look to the pitch they've lost the ball.
Neymar fouled after another bit of skill from Vinicius. I think he's heard everyone talk non-stop about how good Pedri and Bellingham are.
A close call for the Serbia goalkeeper as he's put under pressure by Raphinha and his pass is only a few centimetres away from touching the boot of the Barça man.
Vinicius has looked livelier than a bag of ants and is causing the defender all kinds of issues every time he gets the ball. He's already been fouled a few times.
Serbia creep forward with the ball before they meet Brazil's mid-block. The South Americans spring their trap and push the Europeans all the way back to their goalkeeper.
The corner was swung in close to the goalkeeper from Neymar and the Serbia goalkeeper has to stop it from going in the back of the net.
THE CORNER WAS GOING IN. SAVE FROM MILINKOVIC SAVIC.
Vinicius receives the ball on the left wing and burns past Zivkovic to the byline. Corner.
Brazil's front 4 press well and Paquetá wins the ball back in the middle of the pitch after a loose ball from Veljkovic.
They look very comfortable - and very motivated - both in and out of possession.
Brazil make me feel fizzy as they set off on a lightning-fast counter-attack, with Raphinha sprinting down the right wing like he's trying to take off into the air.
Neymar gets the ball from Vinicius and skips past what seems like 300 players inside the box before eventually losing his powers of invisibility - and the ball.
Neymar gets tackled and his shirt ends up on the floor. His whole shirt. I don't understand.
Raphinha realises it's all a bit loco and asks for calm from Paquetá after he rushes a pass that goes out for a goal kick.
Early yellow for Pavlovic after crashing into Neymar. Raphinha will be happy about that, as he's on his side.
Vinicius again with electric feet as he skips past a Serbia player who thought he could tackle him.
Serbia somehow retrieve the ball from him and run up the other end.
This game has started at full-pace.
Vini with some delightful skill to open up the pitch (the crowd went craazy). He passes wide to Raphinha but his cross hits a defender.
Serbia pressing Brazil like crazy in the opening minutes, like a swarm of red beetles.
Richarlison is up front, with Neymar in behind. Vini on the left and Raphinha on the right.
Here we go!
Brazil wearing the classic yellow (Dynamic yellow, according to Nike), blue shorts and white socks. Lovely.
Serbia in all red.
National anthem time!
I love the Brazil one. It makes me bobble my head.
Serbia, fair play. That was very well shouted by all. Longer than a line of crocodiles, but a nice tune.
Time for the football!
The players are in the tunnel and the pre-match light show is underway!
We are in for a yummy football treat
Thanks to Sofascore for allowing me to steal these tactical lineups, showing us the delights we're about to see and frankly making me as excited as a small dog chasing a butterfly.
Serbia are no lightweights
Thiago Silva's nemesis for the evening is Mitrovic, who is scoring for fun in the Premier League with Fulham.
For years he was the captain of the team of players that could not make it in the Premier League after shining in England's second division, but he's make a lot of people eat humble pie this year, and comes into the World Cup in devastating form.
Thiago Silva is breaking records, too
The Chelsea centre-back is about to captain his side in a World Cup for the third time, something that has never been done before.
He took them to fourth place in 2014 (they lost 7-1 to Germany, ouch) and the quarter final in 2018, where they lost to Belgium, 2-1.
Brazil look in good spirits
It's never a bad time to dance, I suppose. Ghana did it on their way in, and it almost worked beautifully.
Are we in for another goal-filled football party?
With that ine-up from Tite a scary 4-2-4 with Neymar, Vinicius, Raphinha and Richarlison up top, something tells me we’re in for a yummy football treat.
But let's not forget about Serbia, who have their own threats, with Mitrovic and Tadic ready to start.
It will be interesting to see if manager Dragan Stojkovic (who has the best name of the World Cup) looks to ex-Real Madrid goalsco- well, player, Luka Jovic at any point during the game.
Neymar is looking to break a World Cup record
Brazil, who are currently ranked number one in the world, will be looking to end a 24-year wait to lift football’s greatest trophy. To help them, they’ve got Neymar, who is just 2 goals away from Pelé’s total of 77.
The PSG forward has got 15 goals in 20 games this season for his club, so he comes into the World Cup in fiery form.
The answer to the pre-match quiz was...
Gabriel Jesús! He is the only player in the current Brazil squad who featured in the 2015 u-20 World Cup final.
Did you get the answer?
While you think about that, here an amazing fact about starter Lucas Paquetá; a faquetá, if you like:
He was born on Paquetá Island, just off Brazil. Paquetá means 'many pacas', which is something that looks like a mix between a rat and a dog.
So much Christmas quiz material for you there. You're welcome.
Anyone for a pre-match quiz?
A grand total of 8 (eight) players in the Serbia squad won the 2015 U-20 World Cup - beating Brazil in the final.
I’m not going to ask you to name all of the players (S & V Milinkovic-Savic, Grujic, Zivkovic, Babic, Velkovic, Maksimovic and Rajkovic) but, who was the ONE Brazil player in that team who is in their squad today?
You’ve got 5 minutes…
Serbia team news
The Serbia team has also now been confirmed. Dragan Stojkovic has gone with: V. Milinkovic-Savic, Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Zivkovic, Lukic, Gudelj, S. Milinkovic-Savic, Mladenovic, Tadic, Mitrovic.
Brazil team news
Brazil's starting line-up has been announced. It is: Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Casemiro, Paquetá, Neymar, Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinícius Júnior.
Swiss take early Group G lead with Cameroon win
Switzerland are the early leaders in Group G, after Breel Embolo's 48th-minute goal gave Murat Yakin's men a narrow victory over Cameroon at Al Janoub Stadium today.
Embolo, who was born in the Cameroonian capital of Yaoundé, reacted to the goal with a gesture of apology to the country of his birth.
(Photo by Pressinphoto/Icon Sport/Getty)
Brazil vs Serbia: headlines
- Brazil and Serbia meet for second World Cup in a row
- Brazilians won 2-0 in group-stage meeting in 2018
- Five-time winners Brazil seeking first world title since 2002
- Serbia yet to reach knockout stages under current guise
Brazil and Serbia meet for second straight World Cup
This is the second straight World Cup where Brazil and Serbia have met in the group stage, by the way.
In fact, they're in an almost identical group to four years ago. At Russia 2018, they were also drawn alongside Switzerland - who today beat Cameroon 1-0 in the opening game in Group G.
When Brazil and Serbia faced off at the last World Cup, goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva gave the Brazilians a 2-0 win. Today’s game will be their first meeting since then.
Can Serbia make it through this time?
As for Serbia, their task is to get out of a World Cup group for the first time since they began competing under their current guise.
They finished bottom of their group in 2010, before coming third in their section in 2018. Can they improve again this year?
Their coach, legendary former player Dragan Stojkovic, has experience of reaching the World Cup knockout stages: when the country still competed as Yugoslavia, he skippered the side to the last 16 at France '98.
(Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Brazil begin bid or world title No. 6
Having utterly romped through qualifying, Brazil have arrived at the World Cup as one of the favourites (when, in truth, do they not?).
Tite’s men topped South America’s qualifying group with a record 45 points - despite playing one game fewer than everyone else except Argentina.
The Brazilians are now aiming to return to Lusail for the final in just under a month’s time - but, it should be noted, they have become something of a quarter-final team in recent World Cups.
Since winning their fifth world title in 2002, Brazil have been knocked out in the last eight in three out of the last four tournaments.
And when they did make it past the quarters… well, we all know what happened, don’t we?
(Photo: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)
Brazil vs Serbia: welcome
Hello! Welcome to our live coverage of the final game of World Cup day five, as Brazil and Serbia face off at Lusail Stadium. Kick-off is at 10pm local time; in the US, that’s 2pm ET/11m PT.
The team news should drop, as the cool kids say these days, within the next half an hour.