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DOHA: 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 sport to spare.
The Brazilians had been annoyed by an stubborn Swiss aspect at Doha’s Stadium 974 and it appeared as in the event that they must accept a degree after a Vinicius Junior strike within the second half was disallowed for offside following a VAR test.
However then, with seven minutes remaining, Bruno Guimaraes 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 group to qualify for the final 16 after France and the one aspect other than the holders to have gained each group matches up to now in Qatar.
With six factors they are going to be tempted to relaxation gamers for his or her last Group G sport in opposition to Cameroon on Friday, when a draw will safe them prime spot.
Switzerland, in the meantime, didn’t muster a shot on track however stay on the right track to qualify too, with the 3-3 draw between Serbia and Cameroon earlier which means a win in opposition to the Serbians will take Murat Yakin’s aspect by and a draw can also suffice.
They’ve made a behavior of constructing no less than the primary knockout spherical at main tournaments, whereas Brazil are in Qatar to win a sixth World Cup and nothing much less will do.
The Selecao have been at all times going to overlook Neymar, though coach Tite has mentioned he’s assured the Paris Saint-Germain famous person will recuperate from his ankle harm 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 energy in depth within the European sport.
4 years in the past, earlier than being dumped out by Belgium within the quarterfinals, they have been additionally held by Switzerland within the group stage.
FRED IN FOR NEYMAR
Yakin’s aspect subsequently had no motive to concern Brazil, who launched Manchester United midfielder Fred into their line-up rather than Neymar.
Consequently they have been arrange in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fred and Lucas Paqueta both aspect of Casemiro, whereas Eder Militao — habitually a centre-back for Actual Madrid — 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 within the stands coming when the large 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 related with a Raphinha cross on the again put up within the twenty seventh minute, however Yann Sommer tipped the Actual Madrid winger’s effort behind.
Switzerland have been with out one among their important artistic sparks in Xherdan Shaqiri, who was lacking as a result of an obvious thigh downside and changed by Fabian Rieder.
That Tite was not happy with Brazil’s first-half displaying was clear when he hooked Paqueta at half-time 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 in midfield earlier than Casemiro launched Vinicius to run by and beat Sommer.
However the celebrations have been reduce shot because the purpose was disallowed by VAR for an offside in opposition to Richarlison.
Tite turned to his bench and despatched on extra recent attackers in Gabriel Jesus and Antony, however the purpose lastly arrived from one of many least doubtless sources in Casemiro and Brazil noticed out a deserved victory. — AFP
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