Richarlison scores first Spurs goals to sink Marseille

Tottenham Hotspur’s Brazilian striker Richarlison scores his team first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D football match between Tottenham and Olympique de Marseille, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London, on September 7, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Richarlison finally scored for Tottenham as the Brazil forward’s double powered his side to a 2-0 victory over 10-man Marseille in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

After going five games without a goal following his £60 million ($69 million) move from Everton, Richarlison got off the mark with a pair of clinical headers to break Marseille’s resistance in north London.

Antonio Conte’s team were well below their best for long periods, but the game finally swung their way when Marseille’s Chancel Mbemba was sent off for a foul on Son Heung-min early in the second half.

That was Richarlison’s cue to seize the spotlight as the 25-year-old netted with 14 minutes to play and struck again five minutes later.

Making the first European appearance of his career, Richarlison’s predatory finishes showed why Conte made him his marquee summer signing.

The sight of the Brazilian weeping with joy as he celebrated with his family in the stands after the final whistle underlined what it meant to him.

Tottenham are expected to qualify from Group D — which also features Eintracht Frankfurt and Sporting Lisbon — and this was the ideal start, even though their performance was hardly eye-catching.

Unbeaten in their first seven games in all competitions this season, Tottenham are still gelling after Conte’s close-season spending spree but the Italian will be encouraged by their ability to grind out results.

European nights under the floodlights have always held a special