Late Casemiro strike sends Brazil into last 16

Seeking an end to 20-year trophy drought, Brazil took a step towards their record-extending sixth World Cup title reaching the Round of 16 after a dominant 1-0 victory over Switzerland at the Stadium 974 yesterday.

The Selecao’s qualification to the knockout stage with a match to spare marked their best start in a World Cup edition since 2002 when they started the same way and went on to win their fifth crown. 

Missing injured Neymar, Tite’s men were not at their best good but they still dominated the Swiss throughout the match taking five dangerous shots on target from their dozen of attempts.

Brazil had a Vinicius Junior goal disallowed by VAR for offside in the 64th minute but Manchester United’s Casemiro ensured the title favourites claim their second successive win in Group G, scoring the winner seven minutes before time. 

The stadium built with shipping containers saw a total of 43,649 spectators with majority of them being the Brazilian fans, who were overjoyed after team’s qualification for the knockout stage. 

“Thank God we scored that goal,” Casemiro said after the victory yesterday. 

“The first aim was to qualify. That was really important in a group as difficult as ours,” said the 30-year-old. 

“We had to be patient against an experienced side who know how to play the game. It was always going to be decided by little details but we knew we would have plenty of possession and thankfully we managed to get the goal.”

Brazil, who are now unbeaten in 17 group stage matches at the World Cup, could have scored more goals but they missed some good opportunities late into the match.       

Still, they comfortably lead their group with six points with Switzerland on three points from their victory against Cameroon in their first match. Cameroon and Serbia who played a thrilling 3-3 earlier yesterday are on one point each.      

Yesterday’s win was Seleco’s first-ever World Cup victory over Switzerland as the sides tied two matches before – with a 1-1 draw in Russia in 2018 being the latest.  

Prior to the match, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri said the current Swiss was capable of earning better results against Brazil than four years ago but that wasn’t the case as Murat Yakin’s side looked under pressure from the beginning failing to take a single shot on target in the entire match. 

After the day saw two high-scoring World Cup matches with Ghana edging South Korea in the other thriller, the game looked a bore-fest in the start with Brazil creating their first chance in the 27th minute but Vinicius Jr’s shot from the back of the net was parried by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer. 

The Real Madrid forward’s attempt was the best from two shots which Brazil took in the first half.

Brazil were better in the second half and Vinicius Junior  - picked out by Casemiro – on the left beat a defender and put the ball into the bottom corner sparking wild celebrations from Brazilian fans.  

But the joy was short lived as the goal was disallowed by a VAR check. 

Casemiro, however, struck the winner rocketing a half-volley into the back of the net after a ball from Rodrygo, leaving fans into raptures and this time the celebration lasted long.

Brazil will meet Cameroon in their last group match on Friday while Switzerland will meet Serbia the same day. 

With Brazil already ensuring their place in the last 16, the rest of the three teams are in a battle for the remaining  last 16 spot.   

Yakin defended his team's performance after the loss. 

“I cant really blame the team, they did a good job today,” said Swiss coach Yakin.

“We have a lot of good takeaways for the next game – one we have control over. We are competitive against bigger teams. I think we have proven that time and time again,” said Yakin, who was missing Shaqiri.

“We lacked a bit of courage going forward but there are a lot of good things to take from this.”

Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes admitted Neymar's absence made the team work hard. 

"It was a really difficult game and a 0-0 suited them, but the most important thing is that we are through," said Guimaraes, who came on as a second-half substitute.

"Neymar is such a player, a real star. What team wouldn't miss him?" he asked.