Richarlison: Brazilian media deliver verdict on Tottenham star after World Cup heroics v Serbia

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Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison delivered a sensational display as Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Serbia.

The Spurs ace netted a double, including a wonderful bicycle kick, to help the Selecao break down the opposition’s resistance.

Brazil had to be patient against an organised Serbia rearguard, eventually breaking the deadlock through the Tottenham attacker.

On 62 minutes, Richarlison netted with a close-range finish after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved Vinicius Junior’s effort.

And 11 minutes later, the Spurs star netted an early contender for World Cup goal of the season.

Richarlison initially mis-controlled a pass from Vinicius, but he then readjusted brilliantly to score with an acrobatic effort.

‘He honoured predecessors like Ronaldo’

The Brazilian media loved what they saw from the Spurs forward.

Jogada 10 gave Richarlison an 8 and wrote: ‘The name of the game.

‘After a first half in which his teammates didn’t think much of it, he had a great second half and secured Brazil’s victory with two goals, the last of which was a goal worthy of a World Cup.

‘Before, he had wasted a great chance. When he started to move around more, he created options in attack. And he showed great positioning to score the first goal for Brazil.’

Meanwhile, Correio Braziliense gave Richarlison 10, writing: ‘Highlight of the match, called the responsibility of wearing the number 9 shirt of the Selection in the World Cup.

‘He honoured predecessors like Ronaldo (Nazario) by scoring the two winning goals and exorcising the ghost that haunted Gabriel Jesus in the 2018 tournament in Russia.’

Terra gave him 8.5 out of 10 and wrote: ‘He debuted with personality as he always showed with the national team’s shirt. Two goals, one of them a goal, a volley.’

And Globo went with 9, saying: ‘Little used, he barely touched the ball in the first half, but in the final stage he showed the usual brilliance of the national team.

‘First, he had opportunism and, with his shin, he scored the goal that alleviated the Brazilian suffocation. Afterwards, he weighed in with a beautiful volley and scored a great goal.’