Tite’s facet are simply the second workforce to qualify for the last 16 after France and the one facet other than the holders to have gained each group matches up to now in Qatar.
Brazil midfielder Casemiro (L) celebrates with Brazil’s ahead #20 Vinicius Junior after he scored his workforce’s first goal in the course of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 in Doha on 28 November 2022. Picture: NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP
DOHA – A Brazil facet 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 last 16 with one recreation to spare.
The (*16*) had been annoyed by an stubborn Swiss facet at Doha’s Stadium 974 and it appeared as if they might have to accept a degree after a Vinicius Junior strike within the second half was disallowed for offside following a VAR examine.
But 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 online with the assistance of a slight however important deflection off Manuel Akanji.
Tite’s facet are simply the second workforce to qualify for the last 16 after France and the one facet 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 ultimate Group G recreation in opposition to Cameroon on Friday, when a draw will safe them prime spot.
Switzerland, in the meantime, failed to muster a shot on course however stay on target to qualify too, with the 3-3 draw between Serbia and Cameroon earlier that means a win in opposition to the Serbians will take Murat Yakin’s facet via and a draw can also suffice.
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.
The Selecao had been at all times going to miss Neymar, though coach Tite has mentioned he’s assured the Paris Saint-Germain celebrity will get well 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 (*16*) of the energy in depth within the European recreation.
Four years in the past, earlier than being dumped out by Belgium within the quarter-finals, they had been additionally held by Switzerland within the group stage.
FRED IN FOR NEYMAR
Yakin’s facet subsequently had no purpose to concern Brazil, who launched Manchester United midfielder Fred into their line-up instead of Neymar.
As a outcome they had been arrange in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fred and Lucas Paqueta both facet of Casemiro, whereas Eder Militao – habitually a centre-back for Real Madrid – stood in for the injured Danilo at right-back.
There had been solely flashes of what Brazil may 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 massive display screen confirmed two-time World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo within the stands.
Vinicius had one of the best likelihood of the opening interval when he linked with a Raphinha cross on the again submit within the twenty seventh minute, however Yann Sommer tipped the Real Madrid winger’s effort behind.
Switzerland had been with out one in all their essential artistic sparks in Xherdan Shaqiri, who was lacking due to an obvious thigh downside and changed by Fabian Rieder.
That Tite was not happy with Brazil’s first-half exhibiting was clear when he hooked Paqueta at half-time and despatched on Rodrygo.
The 21-year-old was concerned when Brazil thought that they had taken the lead simply after the hour mark, serving to achieve possession in midfield earlier than Casemiro launched Vinicius to run via and beat Sommer.
But the celebrations had been reduce shot because the goal 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 goal lastly arrived from one of many least doubtless sources in Casemiro and Brazil noticed out a deserved victory.