Brazil can do it without Neymar. The top favorite fought a 1-0 (0-0) win against Switzerland on Monday evening and thus secured entry into the round of 16 of the World Cup. Casemiro (83rd minute) scored the Seleção’s acclaimed winner just before the end of the game, which is now inevitable in the knockout phase of the tournament in Qatar with six points in Group G. In the final preliminary round game, the Brazilians meet Cameroon on Friday. The Swiss also have good chances and are fighting in the last group game against Serbia for the round of 16.
In front of 43,649 spectators at the Stadion 974 in Doha, the match was similar to the Brazilians’ opening match against Serbia (2-0). The Seleção dominated the action, but did not become dangerous. In addition, she repeatedly made slight mistakes in the structure. But that was also due to the disciplined defending Swiss. The fact that coach Murat Yakin’s team had suffered a minor rear-end collision with their team bus before the game was not noticeable to the players.
But it conducted Brazil – and that too without Neymar. National coach Tite allowed his team to play a little more defensively this time and replaced the attacker with midfielder Fred. Nevertheless, the Seleção became more and more dangerous as the game went on. Richarlison (19th) just missed a low cross from Lucas Paquetá. Eight minutes later, Yann Sommer had to intervene for the first time. Vinicius Júnior was free at the back post after a Raphinha cross, but the Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper saved his attempt from a corner.
Not much came from Switzerland, at least not to the front. Although the Confederates played in the first round, two promising situations. But even if they were offered the appropriate space, they preferred to turn around and play the more comfortable back pass. Switzerland only had one shot before the break. This may also be due to the fact that Yakin had to do without former Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri, who suffered a slight thigh injury.
“I believe in victory! And you?”, Brazil’s soccer icon Pelé tweeted at halftime. And he was right. Like the former world champion, Neymar followed the game in front of the television. The Paris Saint-Germain striker stayed at the team hotel to continue receiving treatment for his injured ankle. From there he could see his teammates rejoicing too soon. After the goal by Vinicius Júnior (64th) there was great relief and jubilation, but it was denied again because of an offside position.
The Brazilians now increased the pressure – and also from the bench. Tite brought almost everything he had in attack: Gabriel Jesus, Antony and Rodrygo came in and Switzerland could hardly get out at the back. A few minutes before the end, the Brazilians scored the acclaimed winner. After a fine combination, Casemiro got the ball in the penalty area – and hammered it into the net, slightly deflected by former Dortmund player Manuel Akanji.
