Brazil advances to the World Cup quarterfinals thanks to a Casemiro goal. “The initial goal was to qualify. That was crucial in a group as difficult as ours “Casemiro claims
Brazil, who were missing Neymar due to injury, needed a late goal from Casemiro to beat Switzerland 1-0 on Monday. Securing their place in the World Cup last 16 with one game to spare.
The Brazilians had been frustrated by an obstinate Swiss side at Doha’s Stadium 974. And a Vinicius Junior strike in the second half was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
Last 16 after France
Rodrygo flicked the ball on to Casemiro just inside the box. And the Manchester United midfielder’s volley flew into the net thanks to Tite’s team is only the second to qualify for the last 16 after France. And the only team other than the holders to have won both group matches in Qatar.
“The initial goal was to qualify. That was crucial in a group as difficult as ours “Casemiro, 30, told Brazilian broadcaster Sportv.
“We had to be patient against a seasoned team that knew how to play the game. It was always going to come down to small details. But we knew we’d have plenty of possession and, thankfully, we got the goal.”
Brazil will be tempted to rest players for their final Group G game against Cameroon on Friday. When a draw would secure first place.
Switzerland, meanwhile, failed to register a shot on target but remains on track to qualify. With the earlier 3-3 draw between Serbia and Cameroon implying that a win over the Serbians will send Murat Yakin’s side through. While a draw may also suffice.
First round of major tournaments
They have a habit of reaching at least the first round of major tournaments. Whereas Brazil is in Qatar to win a sixth World Cup and nothing less will suffice.
The Selecao were always going to miss Neymar. But coach Tite is confident the PSG superstar will recover from his ankle injury in time to play in the finals.
After Richarlison’s class made the difference in their opening win over Serbia. The Brazilians were reminded of the European game’s depth.
Four years ago, they were held by Switzerland in the group stage before being eliminated by Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Neymar is replaced by Fred.
Yakin’s team had no reason to be concerned about Brazil, who started Manchester United midfielder Fred in place of Neymar.
As a result, they lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. With Fred and Lucas Paqueta on either side of Casemiro, and Eder Militao. Normally a centre-back for Real Madrid – filling in for the injured Danilo at right-back.
In a frustrating first half, there were only flashes of what Brazil could do. With the loudest cheers from the masses of yellow and green supporters coming. When the big screen showed two-time World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo in the stands.
Vinicius had the best chance of the first half in the 27th minute. Connecting with a Raphinha cross at the back post. But Yann Sommer tipped the Real Madrid winger’s effort behind.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland’s main creative spark, was absent due to an apparent thigh problem and was replaced by Fabian Rieder.
Tite’s dissatisfaction with Brazil’s first-half performance was clear when he hooked Paqueta at halftime and substituted Rodrygo.
Assisting in midfield before Casemiro released Vinicius to run through and beat Sommer.
But the celebrations were cut short when VAR disallowed the goal for offside against Richarlison.
Tite went to his bench and brought on more fresh attackers in Gabriel Jesus and Antony. But the goal came from one of the most unlikely sources in Casemiro, and Brazil won deservedly.
