It was all going so well. Perhaps too well.

True, Brazil struggled to break down Serbia in the first half of their World Cup opener. But the ball moved quicker and the talent flowed as Richarlison‘s brace sealed a 2-0 win in a scintillating second half. And, surely to the delight of coach Tite, the team went with an ultra-attacking lineup but at no time looked in the remotest danger of conceding a goal. Even the fact that the team had to work hard for its openings was a plus.

Things could hardly have gone better — until a cloud was cast with those two injuries towards the game, ruling out Neymar and Danilo from at least the next two matches.

– World Cup 2022: News and features Schedule