Casemiro goal downs Switzerland to take Brazil into World Cup last 16, In order to defeat Switzerland 1-0 on Monday and advance to the World Cup’s last 16 with one game remaining, Brazil, who was playing without injured star Neymar, needed a goal from Casemiro late in the game. At Doha’s Stadium 974, the stubborn Swiss team had frustrated the Brazilians, and it appeared as though they would have to settle for a point when a Vinicius Junior goal in the second half was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Casemiro goal downs Switzerland to take Brazil into World Cup last 16
But then, with seven minutes remaining, Bruno Guimaraes flicked the ball on to Casemiro just inside the box and the Manchester United midfielder’s volley flew into the net with the help of a slight but significant deflection off Manuel Akanji. Tite’s side are just the second team to qualify for the last 16 after France and the only side apart from the holders to have won both groups matches so far in Qatar.
With six points they will be tempted to rest players for their final Group G game against Cameroon on Friday, when a draw will secure them top spot. Switzerland, meanwhile, failed to muster a shot on target but remain on course to qualify too, with the 3-3 draw between Serbia and Cameroon earlier meaning a win against the Serbians will take Murat Yakin’s side through and a draw may also suffice.
They have made a habit of making at least the first knockout round at major tournaments, while Brazil are in Qatar to win a sixth World Cup and nothing less will do. The Selecao were always going to miss Neymar, although coach Tite has said he is confident the Paris Saint-Germain superstar will recover from his ankle injury to play a part again at the finals. After the class of Richarlison made the difference in their opening win over Serbia, this was a reminder for the Brazilians of the strength in depth in the European game. Four years ago, before being dumped out by Belgium in the quarter-finals, they were also held by Switzerland in the group stage.
– Fred in for Neymar –
Yakin’s side, therefore, had no reason to fear Brazil, who introduced Manchester United midfielder Fred into their line-up in place of Neymar. As a result they were set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fred and Lucas Paqueta either side of Casemiro, while Eder Militao — habitually a center-back for Real Madrid — stood in for the injured Danilo at right-back. There were only flashes of what Brazil could do in a frustrating first half, with the loudest cheers from the masses of supporters in yellow and green in the stands coming when the big screen showed two-time World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo in the stands.
Vinicius had the best chance of the opening period when he connected with a Raphinha cross at the back post in the 27th minute, but Yann Sommer tipped the Real Madrid winger’s effort behind. Switzerland were without one of their main creative sparks in Xherdan Shaqiri, who was missing due to an apparent thigh problem and replaced by Fabian Rieder. That Tite was not satisfied with Brazil’s first-half showing was clear when he hooked Paqueta at half-time and sent on Rodrygo.
In order to defeat Switzerland 1-0 on Monday and advance to the World Cup’s last 16 with one game remaining, Brazil, who was playing without injured star Neymar, needed a goal from Casemiro late in the game. At Doha’s Stadium 974, the stubborn Swiss team had frustrated the Brazilians, and it appeared as though they would have to settle for a point when a Vinicius Junior goal in the second half was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
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