Casemiro conjured winner for deserving Brazil.Tite’s side in last 16 but Switzerland fate rests on Serbia clash. Casemiro struck his first World Cup goal with seven minutes remaining in a cacophonous Stadium 974 to break Switzerland resistance and book Brazil’s place in the Round of 16.
Brazil didn’t alight on any rhythm in a stuffy opening half, their only attempts coming from Vinicius Junior, whose scruffy contact in front of goal allowed Yann Sommer to save, and Raphinha, who struck a hard hit effort into Sommer’s midriff.
Richarlison, the two-goal hero against Serbia on Thursday, needed one shoe size bigger to connect with Vinicius Junior’s cute outside-of-the-boot cross 11 minutes after half-time. And there was more frustration for Brazil when it came to light Richarlison was offside in the build up to Vinicius Junior slotting beyond Sommer after 65 minutes.
Tite’s side pressed for the goal to seal their progress from Group G, however, and Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined to feed Casemiro for a fabulous first-time penalty-box strike beyond Sommer.
Sommer tipped over a late Rodrygo effort and the same Brazil player was denied by Manuel Akanji’s excellent block. One goal was all Brazil required, however, against a Switzerland team that didn’t muster a shot on target.
Brazil are the first side to not face a shot on target in their opening two World Cup matches since eventual champions France in 1998.
Player of the Match:Casemiro
Bengali