Football

Richarlison hits hat-trick as Brazil beat Germany

ReutersYokohama, Japan
Brazil's midfielder Paulinho (C) celebrates with Brazil's forward Richarlison (2ndR) after he scored his side's fourth goal during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's group D first round football match between Brazil and Germany at the Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama on 22 July 2021.
AFP

Richarlison struck a stunning hat-trick inside 30 minutes as defending Olympic champions Brazil beat Germany 4-2 in their opening Group D game in the men's Olympic tournament at the International Stadium on Thursday.

Brazil should have had the outcome decided by the interval given the amount of chances they created but Germany struck twice in the second half, despite going down to 10 men in the 63rd minute.

Richarlison drove home at the second attempt in the seventh minute and headed Brazil into a 2-0 lead before completing his hat-trick with a fine strike in the 30th minute with the German defence in chaos.

Brazil's forward Richarlison controls the ball during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's group D first round football match between Brazil and Germany at the Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama on 22 July 2021.

Nadiem Amiri pulled one back for Germany after the break and although Max Arnold was dismissed in the 63rd minute, a Ragnar Ache header gave Brazil an unexpectedly nervous the final stages.

But with Germany pushing forward, Brazil caught them on the break in stoppage time, Paulinho finishing off a counter-attack with a fine shot into the top corner.

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