The first round of group stage fixtures at the 2022 World Cup is in the books.
Thursday saw the final eight teams get their first run-outs in Qatar, with heavy hitters Brazil and Portugal among those in action.
Here’s how it all went down.
Pre-tournament favourites Brazil rounded off the first batch of group stage fixtures with an impressive 2-0 victory over Serbia.
The Serbian defence was too tough to break down in the first half but Tite worked his magic at the break as Brazil leapt to life in the second 45.
Richarlison to the rescue
Alex Sandro hit the post from range before Richarlison, who had been quiet in the first half, wheeled away in celebration after tapping home a rebounded Vinicius Junior strike.
It might have been a scrappy first, but there was nothing but class about Richarlison’s second as he rose to meet a cross with a sumptuous bicycle kick that flew into the back of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s net in the blink of an eye.
Casemiro nearly added a third from range but Brazil didn’t need any more as they strolled to an easy victory.
Portugal got their campaign off to a nice start with a 3-2 victory over Ghana that ended up being a thoroughly entertaining affair.
Fernando Santos’ side were the top team in the first half but their slow pay rarely yielded any results, although Cristiano Ronaldo did have a goal ruled out for a foul. With only two minutes of stoppage time after the first 45, you can tell it wasn’t particularly eventful.
A tale of two halves
Fortunately for the neutrals, the game came into life in the second half and Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot on the hour mark, but their lead lasted just eight minutes as Andre Ayew tapped in from close range to tie things up.
Parity was even briefer as Joao Felix netted down the other end almost straight after, and then Rafael Leao added a third almost straight after. It looked as though the fun was over, but far from it.
Osman Bukari netted a late header and Ghana nearly snatched an unbelievable equaliser right at the end of stoppage time as Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa threw the ball to the ground to line up a kick… without realising Inaki Williams was waiting behind him.
Williams snatched the ball and looked set to tap home one of the most outrageous World Cup goals ever, only to slip and end up losing possession.
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