Brazil and Portugal record impressive wins

Richarlison scored two goals, the second with a spectacular acrobatic kick, to help Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group ‘G’ match played at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.

In the 73rd minute, the striker used one touch to get the ball up in the air and then spun around and got off the ground before knocking the ball into the net with his right foot. Brazil had struggled to get past the Serbian defence until Richarlison scored from close range in the 62nd in a build-up that started with Neymar. Vinícius Júnior assisted on both goals.

Neymar, seeking his first major title with Brazil, stayed at 75 goals for the national team, two shy of Pelé’s scoring record.

Brazil’s best chance before Richarlison’s opening goal had been a low long-range shot by Alex Sandro that hit the post in the 60th minute. Neymar had his best opportunities with a free kick in the 50th minute and a shot from near the penalty spot in the 55th minute.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo drew a line under a tumultuous tournament build-up as he wrote his name in the record books to become the first player to score in five World Cups in a 3-2 victory for Portugal over Ghana on Thursday.

Ronaldo drilled home a penalty in the 65th minute of the Group ‘H’ encounter to set his side on its way and while Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana, Portugal turned on the afterburners with two quick-fire goals to effectively seal the deal at the Stadium 974.

Joao Felix produced a delicate finish to give Portugal the lead and Rafael Leao added a third to hand Portugal its first win in the opening match of the World Cup since 2006, even if Osman Bukari pulled another one back for Ghana late on. (C.D)