A thumping late volley from Casemiro was enough to secure a berth in the round of 16 for Brazil, who labored to a 1-0 win over Switzerland to make it two wins from two at the World Cup. After the thrills and spills of the days earlier games this was a rather more underwhelming contest with the Swiss more than prepared to sit deep and challenge a Neymar-less opponent to break them down.
For 83 minutes it seemed their approach had worked with the only real moment of danger coming when Vinicius Junior darted infield from the left and rolled the ball into the bottom corner, only for VAR to call the goal back for an offside by Richarlison in the build up. Vinicius ultimately proved too much to handle for the Swiss and set the ball rolling for the winner, moving the ball infield to his Real Madrid team mate Rodrygo, who flicked the ball high up for Casemiro to volley. A Manuel Akanji deflection ensured that Yann Sommer had no chance.
Switzerland can still qualify with a point against Serbia in their final group game while Brazil will reflect on the good omens that come from two wins in their opening two games, something they have done in each of their last three tournament triumphs.
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In the early exchanges here you could be forgiven from extrapolating the conclusions of the closing stages of the Serbia game into this one, perhaps into the World Cup as a whole. When Neymar exited that game with the injury that will rule him out of the group stages Brazil found more zip and verve and they showed exactly the same qualities early on against Switzerland. But in reality that may have been the result of their first opponent eventually tiring and one or two passing moves clicking early on.
As this contest wore on in turgid fashion, the chasm that their No.10 had left behind seemed to expand, threatening to swallow the entire pitch. You can see it clearly on the graphic below, in general it is not a good idea for your front three to look like they are occupying a different postal district to the rest of your team, as was the case when Lucas Paqueta and Fred were tasked with creating.
The half time introduction of Rodrygo brought a little more spark in central areas and for a natural right winger his impression of Neymar was rather encouraging, particularly when there are no alternatives in the squad. Gabriel Jesus also offered rather more link play when he came off the bench and he is perhaps a better option than Richarlison if Neymar is unavailable, his dropping deep will offer that presence in the number 10 position that Brazil lacked.
Still, if you are struggling to create much through the middle it rather helps if you have some of the best wing talent on the planet. Vinicius Junior certainly seemed ready to claim Neymar's mantle and he has the attitude to deliver. His wonderful goal might have been ruled out for offside but it was one of several moments where his control of his own pace, decelerating at just the right moment to bait the slide tackle, made Swiss defenders look rather foolish.
One wonders if Switzerland felt their approach was decided for them when Cameroon mounted their stirring comeback against Serbia. It might ultimately prove to be a Pyrrhic point for Rigobert Song's side, who are likely not going to defeat Brazil but might have just made Switzerland's life far easier now that they can afford to draw their final game and go through.
Certainly Switzerland seemed set on the point that would have extended their cushion to three from the outset. It was notable that when Granit Xhaka won the ball just outside the Brazil half his first response was to go backwards; if his side was going to attack it would only be once they'd locked the back door and set the alarm. They were not entirely bereft of attacking intentions but they were cautious enough that when Ruben Vargas did find a crossing position he often found himself delivering to no one.
Such caution was nearly rewarded, it should be noted, and Switzerland do look like a side who can frustrate the very best. Not many will be able to produce moments of such splendor as Casemiro did. In other words, get ready for a round of 16 tie decided from the penalty spot.
I have to confess I have no idea where that has come from beyond a VAR check that seemed really rather swift. Switzerland haven't really looked like equalising in the last seven minutes since Casemiro's goal but they have a bit more time to play with now.
That goal was even better than the Vinicius one that didn't stand! Vinicius rolls the ball from the left to the edge of the area, Antony flicks it first time and Casemiro hits it on the volley. A deflection off Akanji adds some spin to it but it was probably flying in anyway.
Have both teams reached the conclusion that a point is absolutely fine for them? it certainly feels like that is the case with Switzerland whilst Brazil's changes off the bench have not offered much more spark to this faltering performance. I sincerely hope we do not get an exorbitant amount of added time here.
It's not one for the history books but try to cling on to your memories of Vinicius' wonderful finish here.
Meanwhile Tite is making more changes, replacing Richarlison and Raphinha with Gabriel Jesua and Antony. He still has one substitution available to him.
That's disallowed for an offside, one that must have come way, way back as Switzerland get the free kick right on halfway. Replays actually show it is not that far back and is instead at the moment Richarlison won the ball in midfield, the moment that began that phase of play. It's not fun but it's VAR done right.
Just as you started to wonder if the goal might not come, Vinicius Junior delivers. He's high and wide, waiting for Richarlison to win the ball back in midfield. He gets the pass in behind and waits for Widmer to go sliding in before rolling the ball into the far corner. A simply superb strike that reminds you of Thierry Henry.
There's really, really not much doing here, a Djibril Sow strike into a Brazilian body about the first exciting thing that has happened in this half. Tite is still looking for solutions to the ball progression issue and replaces Fred with the more creative stylings of Bruno Guimaraes. One wonders whether it is time to take a look at Richarlison, who did not contribute massively before scoring two goals (which to be fair is his job) in the opener. Gabriel Jesus might be able to plug some of the gaps Neymar did in this team.
Maybe more credit should go to Switzerland for their tight, organised defensive lines because every time the ball breaks it does so to a player in red who delivers a clearing boot. Equally the Brazilians really aren't playing with the juice you'd expect now that they've added another forward, who is playing as more of a free eight than a pure 10. Whatever his position the ball movement is just a mite too slow.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo waits on the sideline to take the place of Lucas Paqueta. One presumes he will slot in at the number 10 position, a quick glance of Transfermarkt suggest he has played in that sort of position twice in his club career. But it's not as if there were many other alternatives available to Tite. A failure of squad building, perhaps?
No, I didn't find any clips, partly because it took until the 27th minute for Brazil to register a shot on goal. They have ended that half with four, worth a combined 0.42 expected goals, though I suspect a lot of that has come from what was still a tricky chance for Vinicius Junior.
Usually at the interval I go through the tweets and posts looking for video clips to give you some flavor of that first half. Wish me luck. This is going to be a struggle. I'm not sure I can manage it.
The story of the first 40 minutes has not been those liquid early passing moves, which have just happened too infrequently since. Instead it's Brazil building a horseshoe of ball movement around a well drilled Swiss defense, looking for the moment of magic that Neymar would be most likely to deliver. Meanwhile the opposition are just sniffing around a bit more, Vargas showing some neat movement to flash in a cross without picking out Embolo.
You know how you're eating a Toblerone and you can't find the optimum way to snap off a chunk without your hands being covered in chocolate? That's been Brazil for the first 26 or so minutes but at last Raphinha finds an angle, drilling a cross to the back post and Vinicius. He can't quite catch his volley right and Sommer saves but that was a reminder to Switzerland that if they let their opponents grind away for a whole game then good chances will come.
When assessing this Switzerland performance we have to factor in that a draw with Brazil is a good result on any occasion. Today, when it gives them a three point cushion on Serbia before the final round of games, it would be like striking gold. So perhaps it's no wonder that when Xhaka wins back possession just inside his own half he does not look to spring anyone in behind, the ball eventually going back to Sommer.
They will try to test Brazil in behind -- Akanji slides a nice pass through to Vargas -- but only when they're in a structure that keeps them protected from the counter. So when Vargas crosses there's no one in red attacking the ball. But halfway through the first half Switzerland are in a welcome position.
One of the luxury problems that emerged from Brazil after their opener was how they looked better after Neymar's exit through injury and you can see flashes of similar interplay in these opening 12 minutes, where there is also sorts of quick interplay that sends them flying through the Swiss. The first time it's Paqueta with the flick in behind for Richarlison to chase, then it's Fred turning provider. Neither have led to shots yet but they're getting closer.
Away we go and immediately Brazil are on top, winning a free kick down the left channel that is flashed dangerously towards Richarlison, who cannot quite get his head on the ball. Meanwhile in midfield Casemiro does that thing that only Casemiro does, a swing of the left boot into a Swiss opponent that looks a yellow card foul to my eyes but not to those of the officials.
Kick off is just moments away!
Though clear underdogs, this experienced Switzerland side have gotten used to the role of spoilers, Yann Sommer inspiring them to a victory over France at Euro 2020. They also impressed last time they faced the Selecao, holding them to a 1-1 draw in Russia four years ago.
"They have world-class players," Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said of Brazil. "They have big, big quality. They are the favorites in the tournament and the favorites in our group, but it is one game. Anything can happen.
"We will have to be much more careful against Brazil than we were against Cameroon. If you lose the ball against Brazil, you pay for it. They have great, great quality. If you see the Brazil players, they can put out three teams. They have big talents that are coming through, but they know us as well, that it is not always easy to play against us and we want to give them as difficult a game as possible. Hopefully, we can turn something around."
Brazil XI: Alisson; Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Paqueta; Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jr.
Switzerland XI: Sommer; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Sow; Rieder, Embolo, Vargas
Injuries to Danilo and Neymar open up intriguing questions for Tite, particularly as neither is expected to be available for the remainder of the group stages. Dani Alves might be a natural replacement for Danilo at right-back but the 39-year-old could certainly expect to be targeted by the more youthful legs of Ruben Vargas or Noah Okafor. Real Madrid's Eder Militao could also shuffle across to right-back, as he does on occasion at club level.
There are options to replace Neymar, including advancing Lucas Paqueta upfield or bringing Real Madrid's Rodrygo into the side. The youngster is not a natural in a number 10 role but then even in a squad as riven with talents as Brazil, there are few players who can even approximate the excellence that Neymar offers.
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the big game of the day as Brazil take on Switzerland, perhaps the two best teams in Group G. A point for both teams has them set fair but a win and they are into the last 16. Will they be tempted to split the points? And will this match live up to the crackers that have preceded it?
