Hi 👋, I am Jordane Gregoire, a reporter from Overtime Online, responsible for providing live match updates for the FIFA World Cup Group H clash between Brazil and Serbia.
Both sides are entering this tournament with different ambitions.
Brazil have won a record five times in this competition not since 2002 , their squad is stacked with world class talent capable of reaching the final and winning the trophy.
As for Serbia, they will hope they can advance from the group which they have not done in the last two occasions. Brazil will be the favourites going into this game, but can Serbia cause an upset? Let’s wait and see, the match kicks off at 7:00 pm.
Line Ups are announced and the players are warmings up!
The National Anthem have begun, players on each side are singing with pure emotion.
KICK OFF⏰! – Brazil are wearing their famous yellow strip and Serbia are in the full red.
1‘ Serbia is set up in 3-4-3 formation to accommodate the star striker Aleksander Mitrovic who is entering the tournament in a rich reign of form from his club and as for Brazil, Neymar Junior positions behind the three attackers, Vinicius Junior, Richarlison and Raphinha.
2‘ Neymar is already pumped, pressing in the first minute. Is it his time to finally get hold of the trophy ? There are no doubts about his ability.
5′ Never too early for flicks and tricks from Vinicius Jr.
6′ Yellow Card Caution- Serbia – Strahinja Pavlovic – he fouls Neymar and brings him down onto to floor.
8′ Neymar dances through two players in the Serbian defensive box and unable to get a shot away .
12′ Vinicius Jr drives down the wing and wins a corner, he and Raphinha are both danger men to look out for on the flanks.
Embed from Getty Images13′ Cheeky Neymar, he curls an inswinger corner, almost caught Vanja Milinkovic-Savic by surprise.
15′ Approaching the 20th minute Serbia will breathe a sigh of relief, the defence and goalkeeper have been solid so far.
19′ Brazil’s Coach Tite is barking out orders at the touchline, he does not seem happy with the attacking output.
21′ Casemiro drives a shot from long range in anger, to conjure a shot on target Vanja Milinkovic-Savic catches comfortably.
23′ Groans from the Brazilian fans while Serbia is in possession of the ball. Fans have high expectations for Brazil and their performance is underwhelming.
24′ Midfield genius Dusan Tadic could not find his teammate Mitrovic in the box, Allison Necker quickly grabs the ball.
26′ Great anticipation from Vanja Milinkovic-Savic ,reading the danger, and clears away for safety after Thiago Silva slots through ball to Vinicius Jr but the Serbian goalkeeper reached the ball first.
30′ Brazil takes a short corner, back flicks between the Brazilians, they crossed it in Milinkovic-Savic snatches the ball.
34′ Chance! Great build play for Brazil, unfortunately Raphinha’s shot is too tame towards Milinkovic-Savic.
36′ Filip Mladenovic’s header goes well over the net, that marks Serbia’s first attempt in the game.
38′ Brazil have not shown the samba rhythm they are renowned for, there is no fluidity in their play.
41′ Oh no! Nikola Milenkovic tries to be clever in his defensive area and Vinicius Jr snatches on to the mistake and almost got a shot, Milenkovic recovered quickly with a timely tackle.
44′ Smiles are shared between Dusan Tadic and Serge Milinkovic-Savic, that illustrates their game plan to frustrate Brazil has been executed flawlessly.
45′ 1 minute added
Halftime score – Brazil 0 -0 Serbia
Serbia will be the happier of the two sides going to the break, they have defended resolutely as a team, their formation 5-4-1 which benefits their central defenders for more protection and tough to break down. Brazil managed their first shot on target in the 20th minute and Vinicius Jr has been the livewire. Let’s wait and see what unfolds in second half.
Second half underway ! ⏰
46′ Opss ! – A mishap in the Serbia defence, an early scare, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic kicks away to safety. Serbia’s hard work from the first half was almost vanished .
49′ Freekick for Brazil – Gudeji has been yellow carded after fouling Neymar in the 20 yard area – could be a good chance for Brazil.
50′ Neymar’s freekick does not challenge the Serbia Goalkeeper and hits the wall, he wins a co
53′ Vinicius Jr is a constant threat on the left side and he perfectly finds Neymar in the box, but the star player scoffs the shot.
55′ Brazil are starting to build momentum, more combinations between the flair players.
57′ Double Substitution – Serbia – Nemanja Gudelj replaced by Nemanja Radonjic, Ican Ilic comes on for Andrija Zivkovic.
60′ OFF THE POST – Alex Sandro, left back of Brazil strikes from long range, hits the left side of the post and not long until they take the lead.
62′ GOAL ⚽ – Brazil 1-0 Serbia -Richarlison – he could not ask for an easier goal to score, Vinicius Jr strikes on the left side , Milinkovic-Savic parries straight at Richarlison for a tap in. 8 goals in 7 games. That’s a poacher goal.
66′ Double Substitution – Serbia – it’s an attacking response, Dusan Vlahovic and Darko Lazovic enters.
67′ Brazil are sniffing blood in the Serbia defence, due to Serbia changes adding another striker onto the field will open more spaces for Brazil to exploit.
70′ Corner Kick for Serbia – defenders of Brazil are struggling to clear from the quick kick eventually the ball is out of danger.
72′ GOAL ⚽- Brazil 2-0 Serbia – Richarlison- Now that’s an improvisation , he’s the number nine for a reason and Brazil’s golden boy, everyone will applaud his finish after he did a scissors kick which is an outrageous skill to do at the world stage and Vinicius Jr involved again in the making of the goal. Must be goal of the tournament contender ?
75′ Double substitution – Brazil – Neymar is replaced and does not look happy as he limps onto the bench. Antony replaces him. Fred replaces Lucas Paqueta to provide steel to the defence.
Embed from Getty Images76′ Substitution – -Brazil – Rodrygo replaces Vincius Jr.
77′ Brazil are looking more threating even without Neymar who did not shine in this game.
80′ HITS THE WOODWORK – Casemiro could not place that curling shot even better, just hit the upper right of the post.
83′ Serbia Substitution – Nemanja Maksimovic replaces Mitrovic, he had injury concerns leading up to the game – Serbia’s current approach will be to avoid another goal conceded.
85′ Rodrygo shifts his feet from left to right ,curls a shot away, unable to test the goalkeeper – As we approach the final whistle, Brazil’s attempts have doubled compared to the first half ones.
86′ Brazil Substitution – Raphinha had a night he would like to forget missing two good chances and he is replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
90′ 7 minutes added on
90+ 3′ – Brazil’s substitutions are doing all they can to impress Coach Tite.
Embed from Getty ImagesFull time Score – Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Brazil are off to winning start through Richarlison’s brace in the second half. Brazil were always in the control throughout the game, although Serbia will be pleased with their first half performance in a defensive aspect. Brazil were not ruthless and shown only glimpses in the first half. Brazil’s attack became more lethal in the latter stages by Vinicius Jr and he was the contributor of both goals.
Thank you for following the live blog , Have a good night !
