Casemiro goal helps Brazil beat Switzerland

Casemiro fired Brazil into the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a late strike in their 1-0 win over Switzerland at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar on Monday.

With Neymar missing the game due to an ankle injury, the five-time champions laboured for long periods of the match as they struggled to break down the determined defensive set up of their Group ‘G’ opponents.

Vinicius Jnr. had looked the most likely to make the breakthrough and saw a second-half strike ruled out by VAR with Richarlison offside earlier in the move. But with just seven minutes of the 90 remaining, Casemiro latched onto Rodrygo’s smart flick from Vinicius’ pass inside and slammed home with the help of a glancing deflection off Manuel Akanji.

Brazil, with two wins from two matches, are guaranteed a top two spot, although Switzerland – sitting on three points – will need a win in their final group game with Serbia to guarantee their progress. With their focus on defence, Switzerland offered little in attack at the other end and failed to land a shot on target across the 90 minutes, although Alisson provided a few nervy moments with the ball at his feet and Alex Sandro slid in to make a desperate block from Silvan Widmer’s cross when Brazil suddenly looked exposed early in the second half.

Brazil had a goal ruled out on 66 minutes when a good move involving Richarlison, and Rodrygo which allowed Vinicius to capitalise on the space he had out wide on the left, skipping away from Nico Elvedi to tuck his finish into the bottom corner, was cancelled because of an offside. (C.D)