World Cup Rewind: Brazil defeats Serbia, Portugal edges Ghana, and extra

Brazil headed into its FIFA World Cup schedule because the favorites to go away Qatar with the match trophy and regardless of Serbia’s finest efforts to frustrate Tite’s males on Thursday night, the Brazilians picked up three factors due to Richarlison’s heroics.

Richarlison scored twice for Brazil within the second half, together with a surprising overhead kick in 2-0 victory over Serbia. The lone fear for Brazil was the second-half substitution of Neymar attributable to an obvious ankle harm.

After a lackluster first half between the 2 sides, Brazil started to up its strain following halftime. Moments after Sandro rattled the crossbar from a long-range shot, Richarlison broke the impasse within the 62nd minute.

Vinicius Junior’s shot was denied by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, however Richarlison was in the proper spot to slam house the rebound.

Not lengthy after giving Brazil a 1-0 benefit, Richarlison gave the Conmebol representatives some respiration room due to a terrific particular person effort. Vinicius’ cross into the field was managed properly by Richarlison, who took one contact earlier than flicking a shot over his head and into the again of the web.

Alisson didn’t must make a single save as Brazil moved to first place in Group G with the win. Brazil will subsequent face Switzerland on Monday whereas Serbia takes on Cameroon earlier within the day.

Here’s a full World Cup rewind from Thursday’s motion:

Portugal 3, Ghana 2

(Cristiano Ronaldo 65′ pk’, Joao Felix 78′, Rafael Leao 80′) – (Andre Ayew 73′, Osman Bukari 89′)

Portugal acquired a troublesome check from Ghana in Group H motion on Thursday, however did sufficient to get via 90 minutes with a 3-2 victory.

Joao Felix and Rafael Leao scored two minutes aside late within the second half to information Portugal previous the youngest squad in Qatar.

Portugal had the higher of the offensive probabilities within the first half with Cristiano Ronaldo coming near delivering the opening objective. His assured strike within the thirty first minute nestled into the again of the web, however was waived off attributable to a foul within the build-up.

Nonetheless, the previous Manchester United ahead would ship the breakthrough objective within the 62nd minute from the penalty spot. Ghana centerback Mohammed Salisu bundled Ronaldo over within the field, permitting the longtime veteran to attain from the spot for a 1-0 lead.

Ghana would reply again within the 73rd minute via Andre Ayew’s end, giving the African facet a lifeline. Mohammed Kudus’ low move allowed the veteran striker the chance to poke house within the field.

Joao Felix regained the lead for Portugal within the 78th minute, receiving a superb move from Bruno Fernandes and ending previous an onrushing Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Rafael Leao wasted little time in scoring his first worldwide objective, benefitting from Fernandes’ help to drill a present previous Ati-Zigi and into the bottom-right nook.

Osman Bukari pulled one objective again for Ghana within the 89th minute, but it surely proved to be too little too late within the ultimate scoreline. It was nonetheless a valiant effort from Ghana, who hung with one of many world’s finest for 90 minutes.

Portugal faces Uruguay on Monday whereas Ghana takes on South Korea.

Switzerland 1, Cameroon 0

(Breel Embolo 48′)

Switzerland acquired an essential three factors on Thursday after grinding out a 1-0 victory towards Cameroon.

Breel Embolo scored the lone objective of the match whereas Yann Sommer registered a five-save shutout in objective. Cameroon did properly to create ample probabilities towards the Swiss, however couldn’t discover a well past the Borussia Moenchengladbach veteran.

Martin Hongla’s lethal effort within the thirtieth minute pressured Sommer into his first key save of the match. Bryan Mbuemo performed Hongla in in direction of objective earlier than the Hellas Verona midfielder drilled a low shot that Sommer punched away.

Switzerland wanted solely three minutes to interrupt the impasse with Xherdan Shaqiri organising Embolo for the opening objective. Shaqiri’s cross from the proper wing allowed a wide-open Embolo the chance to attach previous Andre Onana.

Switzerland continued to strain Onana in objective, however needed to accept a one-goal victory towards the African facet.

Uruguay 0, South Korea 0

Uruguay and South Korea did their finest to remain degree with Portugal within the Group H, however neither may discover a profitable objective in a goal-less draw on Thursday.

Diego Godin had the perfect offensive alternative within the first half as his header crashed towards the put up and saved the groups degree.

Hwang Ui-Jo missed a superb probability for South Korea, summing up a irritating first half for each groups.

Uruguay got here closest to snatching a profitable objective within the ultimate moments, however Federico Valverde’s long-range shot hit the left put up. Son Heung-Min’s lengthy vary probability moments later missed large of the proper put up, which was the ultimate offensive probability for both crew within the draw.

Supply – sbisoccer.com