Brazil 2-0 Serbia: Richarlison spearheads Brazil's World Cup charge

Richarlison may have to justify his place as Brazil's number nine to outsiders, but he used his debut on the World Cup stage to demonstrate why he is revered by Tite.

Gabriel Jesus and Rodrygo of Real Madrid are two of the best strikers in the world, but they are not the only ones competing for a place in the squad.

In a squad overflowing with attacking talent, Tite has made Richarlison his first-choice forward to complement the gifts of Neymar and Vinicius Junior, and he was the leader as the tournament favorites opened with an impressive 2-0 win over Serbia.

After Vinicius Junior's shot was turned away by Serbia's goalkeeper, Richarlison pounced on the chance to score.

There was a piece of skill that had the best traditions of Brazilian football.

Richarlison was able to flash home an unstoppable right foot volley after initially failing to control Vinicius' cross.

Richarlison's second goal made it nine in his last seven Brazil appearances, more proof of why he is held in such regard by Tite and making him his country's first player to score twice on his World Cup debut.

Richarlison is a workhorse who is surrounded by more flamboyant attacking talents, but he is the complete strikers when he is at his best.

This was a performance that showed what an asset Richarlison is for Brazil and will be for his club side in the future after a slow start to his Spurs career.

Alan Shearer said that he is a man in form. He hasn't scored in the premier league for Spurs, but he is on fire in Brazil.

The positioning of Richarlison to pick up those little goals, the ones where the keeper is going to tap them out in and around the six-yard box, gives me as much satisfaction as the amazing second goal he scored.

He's in a good spot. He doesn't get his shot. You can watch his movements. He is the first one to react. It looks simple, but it isn't. You need to get in and finish it. It's very, very good in the middle of the field.

Richarlison's match-winning display added to the weight of evidence suggesting the strength and all-round quality of Brazil's squad makes them favorites to win the World Cup in this same stadium.

Vinicius was dazzling, and also appeared to pick up an injury. Richarlison was able to snuff out Serbia's hopes thanks to the help of them.

Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, Antony and Fred, and Real's Rodrygo were introduced by Tite in the closing stages as he made changes that will make his rivals jealous.

Casemiro hit the woodwork along with Alex Sandro, while behind them is Thiago Silva and Alisson Becker, who did not have a save.

Brazil's first game at the World Cup carries a touch of sporting theatre and is always a crowd pleaser. The Lusail Stadium was filled with more than 88,000 people for the game.

They hope to return to this location for the final.

As they arrived before kick-off, Brazil's players were not weighed down by expectations.

The squad joined in a dance when the bus stopped in the tunnel. Raphinha was dressed in a samba when he walked into the dressing room with his teammate.

Is it related to World Cup nerves? It's not quite right.

Members of the team and the squad poured towards the corner flag to swamp the scorer of each of Richarlison's goals. It was a celebration.

He was wearing a pair of headphones when he walked into the stadium. It was Richarlison who stood out as Brazil's golden boy.

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