Richarlison's brilliant volley highlights Brazil's win over Serbia

Richarlison's brilliant volley highlights Brazil's resounding 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup match - Match Highlights

Richarlison brilliantly volleyed home to complete his brace against Serbia on Thursday in a 2-0 win. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Brazil underlined their favourite credentials with a commanding 2-0 win over Serbia in their Group G encounter on Thursday.

Tite handed Tottenham’s Richarlison the number 9 jersey and the flamboyant forward repaid the faith with two second-half goals. Fans must have been frustrated to see Richarlison return in the second half after he was anonymous in the first half.

Serbia didn’t offer much going forward in the opening half but did the best they could to hold off the five-time winners with Raphinha and Neymar troubling the opposition defenders. Goalkeeper Milinkovic Savic was on top of his game although, the Barcelona winger should have done better.

Tite prefers Liverpool’s Alison to Manchester City’s Ederson in goal but Serbia didn’t exactly question the Brazilian man in goal in the first half. Raphinha found himself with the best chance of the half after receiving a one-two exchange from Richarlison but his tame effort was well saved.

The second half was all Brazil, Raphinha again had a chance to open the scoring as early as the first minute of the second half. Milinkovic Savic miscued with his attempt to play out from the back and Raphinha robbed Nemanja Gudelj but couldn’t beat the keeper when scoring looked quite easier.

Richarlison tapped home from close range after neat work from Neymar ended on the path of the lively Vinicius Jr and his fierce attempt was parried by the Serbia goalkeeper but he couldn’t do anything to the Tottenham man’s goal.

If anyone could have tapped in like Richarlison, his second goal can only be scored by special players. From the control to cushion the ball and the turn to half-volley home. The goal certainly has to be the best of the lot so far in the tournament.

Neymar limped off injured and there was an opportunity for Gabriel Martinelli to prove his worth as he came on for Raphinha late on. Gabriel Jesus replaced Richarlison and Rodrigo replaced Vinicius. Brazil’s next game is against Cameroon while the Serbians will like to redeem their dreams against Switzerland.

Watch the match highlights below: