Tite's Brazil got off to the perfect start in the World Cup with a dazzling victory over a resilient Serbia side.

Serbia did well to keep the game level in the first half but they couldn't withhold the Brazilian's attacking pressure for the full 90 minutes, with Richarlison bagging a second-half brace.

The result means that Brazil are not top of Group G, only above Switzerland on goal difference with the Swiss beating Cameroon 1-0 earlier in the morning.

The South American side face second-place Switzerland on Monday, with a win for either side sealing their place in the next round.

  • Story of the match 

Both sides were feeling each other out in for the opening 10 minutes of the game, but Brazil looked the most lively of the two, with Casemiro finding Neymar Jr with a precision pass through Serbia's defensive line, but the PSG forward couldn't direct an effort on goal.

Serbian goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was called into action shortly after, doing well to tip Neymar's in-swinging corner over the crossbar.

The South Americans continued to dictate the play, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro shooting from distance in the 21st minute, but his effort was well saved by Milinkovic-Savic.

Dusan Tadic was the danger man for Serbia as all their promising attacks came through the 34-year-old down the right, who repeatedly tried to find Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the box with deep crosses.

Brazil's wide men were having plenty of luck down the flanks, with Vinicius Jr repeatedly having the better of his marker down the left-hand side - his best chance came just before the half-hour mark, but the Serbia goalkeeper was alert and off his line quickly.

Barcelona winger  Raphinha came close to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute after getting on the end of a brilliant pass, but Milinkovic-Savic made another great save.

Brazil had their best chance of the half on the cusp of halftime. Vinicius Jr did well to chase the ball down on the break, dispossessing Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic, but the Real Madrid star couldn't direct his shot on target.

Serbia nearly gifted Brazil the lead in the opening seconds of the second half as a sloppy back pass was intercepted by Raphinha, but Milinkovic-Savic was there to deny him again.

Neymar had another good chance inside the box after he was found by Vinicius Jr from the left wing, but the 30-year-old couldn't direct his first-time shot on target.

Fullback Alex Sandro had the next big chance for Brazil, with his strike from outside the box smashing against the woodwork with Milinkovic-Savic all but beaten.

Just past the hour mark and Brazil finally had the opening goal of the game through Richarlison, who was the quickest player to react inside the box to a rebound from Vinicius Jr's shot.

Not 15 minutes later Richarlison had his second goal of the night, flicking up Vinicius Jr's right-sided cross inside the box and putting the ball into the back of the net with a spectacular acrobatic finish.

Casemiro nearly furthered Brazil's lead with a beautifully curved effort from outside the box, but the ball crashed against the crossbar to deny him.

With just over 10 minutes left to play Brazil were dealt a major blow as their main man, Neymar, was forced off the pitch with a suspected ankle injury. He was replaced by Anthony.

Serbia couldn't find much of a threat up top as Brazil dominated for the last minutes of play, and saw out an important victory which means they now sit top of Group G.

  • Player of the match

Brazil have a host of attacking talent at their disposal, but the one that made all the difference against Serbia tonight was Tottenham's Richarlison.

Among the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr, and Raphinha, Richarlison was the only one who had the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. 

His movement off the ball was great and he was in the right place at the  right time for both of his goals, which he took expertly. 

If Richarlison can continue to perform at this standard for his country, Brazil are going to be one of the favourites to go all the way in this competition.