Another First for Ronaldo
In his first match since his explosive interview and release from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo set yet another record, becoming the first man to score at five World Cups.
After having a goal ruled out in the first half, the Portugal captain opened the scoring by coolly dispatching a 65th minute penalty.
Ghana hadn’t had a single shot at half time, but were much better in the second half. Captain Andre Ayew, formerly of Swansea, tapped in an equaliser to the delight of both Ghana fans, and supporters of his club side Al-Sadd, current holders of the Qatari Stars League.
Portugal fought back, scoring two goals in as many minutes through two talents, João Félix and Rafael Leão with neat finishes.
That was enough to secure all three points in the end, but Ghana would have had Portugal worried. Osman Bukhari headed home with a minute of normal time to play, before doing Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration. The Black Stars nearly equalised in the 99th minute, when Portugal keeper Diogo Costa placed the ball down with striker Iñaki Williams behind him ready to pounce. But as he went to kick the ball, the Athletic Bilbao man slipped and scuffed his shot.
Richarlison Silences Doubters
It’s hard to overstate just how much attacking talent Brazil have. Of course, there’s Neymar, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, and Manchester United’s £86 million summer signing. And with how impressive Gabriel Jesus has been since joining Arsenal this season, some Premier League viewers may have been confused as to why Richarlison, who is yet to score for Tottenham after moving from Everton in July, got the nod as Brazil’s number nine.
But as regular followers of Brazil will know, for manager Tite, Richarlison is seemingly one of the first names on the teamsheet, and against Serbia he showed why.
Brazil were impressive from the off, but had to be patient against an organised Serbia defence in the first half. After the break, the Seleção sped up their play, and Neymar, given a free role by Tite, played high up the pitch, as opposed to dropping deep as he did at times in the first half. These changes paid dividends, as Richarlison scored from close range after Vanja Milinković-Savić (brother of star midfielder Sergej) parried Vinicius Junior’s effort.
Eleven minutes later, a stunning second. The ball played to him by Vinicius Jr, Richarlison hit a stunning scissor kick. My words can’t really do it justice.
The one negative for Brazil, Neymar going off injured, images showing his ankle swollen. Although Tite has said that the PSG man, who is just two off Pelé’s record of 77 goals for the country, should be back in time for the first knockout round.
Mixed Emotions
A Switzerland team manager Murat Yakin described as “the best Switzerland side ever” struggled in the first half against Cameroon. So when the deadlock was broken three minutes after the break, much celebration would have been expected from the scorer of the only goal in the match. Not for Breel Embolo.
Having been born in Cameroon before moving to Switzerland at the age of six, the Monaco man described the occasion as “very special”. Upon scoring, he looked visibly emotional and refused to celebrate, instead holding his hands up.
From here Switzerland saw the game out, and had chances for a second. They are second in Group H, behind Brazil on Goal Difference.
No Way Through
The other game in Group H saw South Korea up against Uruguay. Despite the top quality forwards on the pitch, in South Korea’s Heung-Min Son, and Uruguay’s experienced duo of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez, alongside Liverpool’s summer signing Darwin Núñez, the game finished goalless, meaning Portugal sit atop of Group H.
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