A Brazil aspect missing spark with out the injured Neymar wanted a late strike from Casemiro to edge out Switzerland 1-0 on Monday because the five-time winners secured their place within the World Cup final 16 with one recreation to spare.
The Brazilians had been pissed off by an stubborn Swiss aspect at Doha’s Stadium 974 and it seemed as in the event that they must accept some extent after a Vinicius Junior strike within the second half was disallowed for off-side following a VAR examine.
But then, with seven minutes remaining, Rodrygo flicked the ball on to Casemiro simply contained in the field and the Manchester United midfielder’s volley flew into the web with the assistance of a slight however important deflection off Manuel Akanji.
Tite’s aspect are simply the second crew to qualify for the final 16 after France and the one aspect aside from the holders to have gained each group matches thus far in Qatar.
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“The first purpose was to qualify. That was actually necessary in a bunch as troublesome as ours,” the 30-year-old Casemiro informed Brazilian broadcaster Sportv.
“We needed to be affected person in opposition to an skilled aspect who know how you can play the sport. It was all the time going to be determined by little particulars however we knew we’d have loads of possession and fortunately we managed to get the aim.”
Brazil gamers have a good time with supporters after they gained the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)Source: AFP
With six factors, Brazil can be tempted to relaxation gamers for his or her remaining Group G recreation in opposition to Cameroon on Friday, when a draw will safe prime spot.
Switzerland, in the meantime, didn’t muster a shot heading in the right direction however stay on track to qualify too, understanding a win in opposition to Serbia of their final recreation will take Murat Yakin’s aspect by and a draw can also suffice.
“We are aggressive in opposition to greater groups. I feel we now have confirmed that point and time once more,” mentioned Yakin, who was lacking one in all his major artistic sparks in Xherdan Shaqiri.
“We lacked a little bit of braveness going ahead however there are a number of good issues to take from this.”
They have made a behavior of constructing at the least the primary knockout spherical at main tournaments, whereas Brazil are in Qatar to win a sixth World Cup and nothing much less will do.
Tens of hundreds of Brazil followers celebrated at Copacabana seashore, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP)Source: AFP
The Selecao have been all the time going to overlook Neymar, though coach Tite has mentioned he’s assured the Paris Saint-Germain celebrity will get better from his ankle damage to play a component once more on the finals.
After the category of Richarlison made the distinction of their opening win over Serbia, this was a reminder for the Brazilians of the power in depth within the European recreation.
Four years in the past, earlier than shedding to Belgium within the quarter-finals, they have been additionally held by Switzerland within the group stage.
Yakin’s aspect due to this fact had no cause to worry Brazil, who launched Manchester United midfielder Fred into their line-up instead of Neymar.
Brazil went wild on the late winner.Source: Getty Images
As a consequence they have been arrange in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fred and Lucas Paqueta both aspect of Casemiro, whereas Eder Militao stood in for the injured Danilo at right-back.
There have been solely flashes of what Brazil might do in a irritating first half, with the loudest cheers from the lots of supporters in yellow and inexperienced coming when the massive display screen confirmed two-time World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo within the stands.
Vinicius had the very best probability of the opening interval when he linked with a Raphinha cross on the again publish within the twenty seventh minute, however Yann Sommer tipped his effort behind.
That Tite was not happy with Brazil’s first-half exhibiting was clear when he hooked Paqueta at halftime and despatched on Rodrygo.
The 21-year-old was concerned when Brazil thought they’d taken the lead simply after the hour mark, serving to acquire possession earlier than Casemiro launched Vinicius to run by and rating.
But the celebrations have been minimize shot because the aim was disallowed by VAR for an off-side in opposition to Richarlison.
Tite turned to his bench and despatched on extra attackers in Gabriel Jesus and Antony, however the aim lastly arrived from a much less doubtless sources in Casemiro and Brazil noticed out a deserved victory.
