[ad_1]
Brazil head into the FIFA World Cup program as favorites to leave Qatar with the tournament trophy and despite Serbia’s best efforts to beat Tite’s men on Thursday night, Brazil took the three points thanks to Richarlison’s heroics.
Richarlison scored twice for Brazil in the second half, including a stunning header in a 2-0 win over Serbia. The only disappointment for Brazil was the second-half substitution of Neymar due to an apparent injury.
After a low first half between the two sides, Brazil began to press after halftime. Richarlison broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, moments after Sandro hit the crossbar with a long-range shot.
Vinicius Junior’s cross was denied by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but Richarlison was in the right place to head home the rebound.
Not long after Brazil took a 1-0 advantage, Richarlison gave the Conmebol representatives some breathing room thanks to a superb individual effort. Vinicius’ cross into the box was well controlled by Richarlison, who got one hand before curling a shot over his head and into the back of the net.
Alisson didn’t need to make a single save as Brazil went top of Group G with the win. Brazil face Switzerland on Monday, while Serbia travel to Cameroon earlier in the day.
Here’s a full World Cup recap from Thursday’s action:
Portugal 3, Ghana 2
(Cristiano Ronaldo 65′ free kick, Joao Felix 78′, Rafael Leao 80′) – (Andre Ayew 73′, Osman Bukari 89′)
Portugal received a tough test from Ghana in Group H action on Thursday, but did enough to win 3-2 after 90 minutes.
Joao Felix and Rafael Leao scored two minutes late in the second half to send Portugal past Qatar’s youngest team.
Portugal had the better of the attacking chances in the first half with Cristiano Ronaldo coming close to scoring the opening goal. His confident shot hit the back of the net in the 31st minute, but was ruled out for a build-up error.
However, the former Manchester United striker would score the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. Ghana centre-back Mohammed Salisu tripped Ronaldo in the box, allowing the long-time veteran to score 1-0 from the spot.
Ghana would respond in the 73rd minute through Andre Ayew’s finish, giving the African side a lifeline. Mohammed Kudus’ low pass allowed the veteran striker to break into the box.
Joao Felix regained the lead for Portugal in the 78th minute, receiving a brilliant pass from Bruno Fernandes and finishing with a quick finish by Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Rafael Leao wasted little time in scoring his first international goal, benefiting from an assist from Fernandes to slot past Ati-Zigi and into the bottom-right corner.
Osman Bukari pulled a goal back for Ghana in the 89th minute, but it proved to be too little in the final score. It was still a valiant effort from Ghana, who hung with one of the world’s best for 90 minutes.
Portugal face Uruguay on Monday and Ghana host South Korea.
Switzerland 1, Cameroon 0
(Breel Embolo 48′)
Switzerland picked up three important points on Thursday after beating Cameroon 1-0.
Breel Embolo scored the only goal of the match while Yann Sommer recorded a five-save shutout in goal. Cameroon did well to create plenty of chances against Switzerland, but failed to find a way through for the Borussia Moenchengladbach veteran.
Martin Hongla’s killer effort in the 30th minute forced Sommer to make his first key save of the match. Bryan Mbuemo played Hongla towards goal before the Hellas Verona midfielder unleashed a low shot that Sommer parried.
Switzerland needed just three minutes to break through with Xherdan Shaqiri setting up Embolo for the opening goal. Shaqiri’s cross from the right wing allowed an open Embolo to head past Andre Onana.
Switzerland continued to pressure Onana in goal, but had to settle for a one-goal win against the African side.
Uruguay 0, South Korea 0
Uruguay and South Korea did their best to stay in Group H with Portugal, but neither could find the winning goal in Thursday’s goalless draw.
Diego Godin had the best attacking opportunity in the first half as his header hit the left and kept the team level.
Hwang Ui-Jo missed a good chance for South Korea, putting together a disappointing first half for both teams.
Uruguay came closest to scoring the winner in the final moments, but Federico Valverde’s long-range shot hit the left post. Son Heung-Min’s long chance then deflected wide of the right post, which was the last attacking chance for either team in the draw.
[ad_2]
Source link
/newsdrum-in/media/media_files/YpUylUtWooVWtQcRkeZX.jpg)
