Brazil 1-0 Switzerland: Casemiro's late thunderbolt books last 16 place for World Cup favourites as they maintain their winning start in Qatar without Neymar
- Casemiro's late stunner helped Brazil to a narrow 1-0 victory against Switzerland
- Vinicius Jr saw his goal midway through the second-half disallowed for offside
- Brazil struggled to break down Switzerland's pragmatic defence without Neymar
- The Brazilian talisman suffered an ankle injury during Brazil's win against Serbia
- Brazil have qualified for the knockouts while the Swiss remain second in Group G
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The drum beat told the story of the thumping weight of expectation which this Brazil side bears. It was relentless and metronomic from a sea of yellow, punctuated by the occasional, thunderous bellow of the team's name which seemed as if it would blow the lid off this place.
For more than 80 minutes on Monday night, the players looked as if that cacophony was ringing in their ears.
Richarlison, the focus of all their endeavours, rubbed his face vigorously on several occasions as chances came his way and went - as if to shake himself from the struggle and reach a higher level.
The goal, from Casemiro, was an object of beauty when it came. Not the purest - deflecting off the backside of Manuel Akanji - but straight out of the streets of Rio, for all that.
![Casemiro scored a late thunderbolt as Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0 at Stadium 974 on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/17/65016867-11470017-image-a-52_1669657587168.jpg)
Casemiro scored a late thunderbolt as Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0 at Stadium 974 on Sunday
![The Manchester United star breached Switzerland's defence with a stunner in the 83rd minute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/18/65016869-11470017-image-a-68_1669658489235.jpg)
The Manchester United star breached Switzerland's defence with a stunner in the 83rd minute
A pass rolled by Vinicius Junior off the outside of his boot - looking away as he did so, pure instinct telling him where to place it - and then the Manchester United man's crushing volley, also off the outstep.
A love-in then ensued in the stadium's press conference room with coach Tite, adored as a father figure by a Brazilian media which lapped up his homilies on the power of collectivism. It helps the general effect that he speaks so well, describing how this team could live without the missing Neymar, who has ankle ligament damage.
Tite reflected: 'He is a player who in a special moment dribbles past players and you think, "What happened here?" We do miss him but other players are getting there, too.'
There certainly wasn't much 'what happened there?' about Brazil on this occasion. Casemiro's emergence as a goal-scoring threat is one of the themes of Brazil's first two games here but no one could disguise that this was an ordinary performance against a second-rate European team.
![Talisman Neymar is out for the rest of the group stage after injuring his ankle against Serbia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/18/65005683-11470017-image-a-72_1669658727681.jpg)
Talisman Neymar is out for the rest of the group stage after injuring his ankle against Serbia
When the lights briefly went out on the stadium just before half-time, someone seemed to be making a statement about what Brazil had brought until then.
Raphinha occasionally ignited into life on the right. No width, no precision. All smoke, no fire. It was certainly a tough lock to pick on Tuesday night.
The Swiss conceded just two goals in eight games in qualifying for Qatar, though there were chances to take here. But Richarlison, the focal point at the top of the team, could not find the anticipation and timing to take command.
A ball bent in from Vinicius just before the hour mark delivered the best of his opportunities but he stretched for it in vain.
It had been the same when Lucas Paqueta had accelerated down the left to cross for him. And when Fred pushed a pass into the central channels after some neat geometrical passing in the inside-left channel, Richarlison got the ball caught in his feet and ran it out of play.
![Vinicius Jr was denied by Yann Sommer with what proved to be the best chance in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/18/65015337-11470017-image-a-69_1669658542833.jpg)
Vinicius Jr was denied by Yann Sommer with what proved to be the best chance in the first half
The big moment in the first half came when a ball arced in from the right by Raphinha reached Vinicius, who seemed to have an eternity to track its flight and pace. But he scuffed a shot which Yann Sommer dealt with comfortably.
The revolving door of substitutes revealed a side struggling for combinations. Paqueta left at half-time. Fred did not last an hour.
Bruno Guimaraes' arrival for the Manchester United midfielder did make a difference. It was he who initiated a move which saw Vinicius accelerate past the outstretched leg of Akanji and lift the ball beyond Sommer, only to be denied by offside on VAR.
Brazil were not helped by the departure of the Juventus left back Alex Sandro, who felt something in his adductor and was substituted, Tite said. That will be a concern, despite them reaching the last-16 with this win.
Switzerland showed no attacking ambition and did not achieve a shot on goal. To start a game with Breel Embolo, such a threat against some sides at last summer's Euros, and not have him try to turn around Brazil's 38-year-old captain Thiago Silva and test his pace, seemed curious.
![The Real Madrid forward then found the net in the 64th minute before VAR disallowed the goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/18/65017255-11470017-image-a-70_1669658594017.jpg)
The Real Madrid forward then found the net in the 64th minute before VAR disallowed the goal
When Brazil lost to Belgium in the 2018 quarter-finals, Casemiro played no part and what both he and Tite wanted to stress was the development of the team in the intervening four years.
'Intelligent question,' said Tite, when the issue of the strength of his bench came up. Sitting on it were Manchester United's Antony, one of the most expensive footballers in history, Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal's livewire striker, and a winger with the dynamism to suggest he is a rising star, in Gabriel Martinelli. Some personnel.
Consider, by contrast, some of the starting XI in the last big World Cup game Neymar did not feature in - that night of 7-1 devastation at German hands in 2014 - Fred, Bernard, Oscar and Hulk.
'We have more players to choose from,' Casemiro said after the win. 'We have the possibility to change the way we play. So the options are far greater than in 2018.'
He could afford to smile because of that 83rd-minute moment of genius and a goal which had the players dancing in front of the yellow sea, many clutching replica World Cups, their beat going on and on, deep into the night.
![Fred started the match in Neymar's absence but was later hooked off by Tite in the second half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/28/18/65011505-11470017-image-a-71_1669658661374.jpg)
Fred started the match in Neymar's absence but was later hooked off by Tite in the second half
Relive all of the updates, match action and key moments by reading Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup Group G clash between Brazil and Switzerland, written by Ben Willcocks.
Huge result for Brazil! Casemiro steps up in Neymar's absence with a stunning late strike for the five-time champions.
That's now 17 consecutive World Cup group games without defeat for Brazil and they cruise into the knockouts.
Read Sportsmail's full report above.
90+3' - Vinicius breaks clear of the Swiss back line and has a two-on-one opportunity to close out the game.
But the forward opts to go alone and is tackled by Akanji, who keeps Switzerland's hopes alive.
88' - Rodrygo fires an effort on goal inside the penalty area and calls Sommer into action, who just manages to tip the ball over the bar.
Moments later, Antony caps off a smart passage of play with a curled effort from outside the box, which narrowly goes wide.
86' - A post-goal substitution from Tite as the coach looks to steady the ship in defence.
ON: Telles
OFF: Sandro
83' - WHAT A FINISH FROM CASEMIRO!
Vinicius Jr and Antony link up well on the left flank and set up an astonishing finish from the defensive midfielder!
The Man United midfielder is found in the penalty area by his club team-mate and slashes his right foot across the ball, thumping it past Sommer between the sticks.
It looked as though this game needed a moment of magic from somewhere, and boy did Casemiro deliver when his country needed him most. What a goal!
80' - Brazil are gifted a free-kick in a positive position on the right flank, but the delivery from Antony is a poor one and it comfortably falls into the path of Sommer.
76' - More changes on the way, this time for Switzerland.
ON: Seferovic, Aebischer
OFF: Embolo, Sow
74' - Tite opts for attacking changes and calls upon Premier League duo Gabriel Jesus and Antony.
ON: Jesus, Antony
OFF: Richarlison, Raphinha
72' - Casemiro finds Vinicius again on the break and the winger threads an inverted pass into the path of Richarlison, who only has one thought in his mind.
But Elvedi tracks him all the way into the penalty area and blocks the shot as soon as it hits Richarlison's boot. Great defending!
69' - Widmer gives a free-kick away in a dangerous position wide on the edge of the penalty area. Raphinha loops the ball in with his left foot towards Silva but the Swiss defence holds strong to clear.
66' - After a lengthy VAR review, the goal is chalked off for an offside in the build-up. It remains goalless at Stadium 974.
Richarlison interfered with the play having come back from an offside position, spoiling what was a great goal from Vinicius.
Switzerland won't mind about that one bit!
64' - Vinicius takes the lead for Brazil!
Casemiro notices that the Swiss haven't picked up Vinicius on the left flank, and he threads a smart ball through to the winger.
He takes his time as he runs into the box and slots the ball home past Sommer. Great finish!
58' - Plenty of changes from both sides as the managers look to freshen things up.
Switzerland: ON - Steffen, Fernandes; OFF - Vargas, Rieder
Brazil: ON - Guimaraes; OFF - Fred
57' - Embolo sees Alisson spend a second too long on the ball and charges down the goalkeeper, who narrowly survives as he just gets the ball out in time.
From Brazil's next attack, the midfield find Vinicius on the left wing, who smartly crosses with the outside of his boot towards Richarlison. The forward can't quite get his foot to the ball and Switzerland just survive the attack.
54' - Widmer excellently controls the ball as he breaks into the penalty area, and the right-back fizzes a low cross into the six-yard box, only to see it cut out expertly by Alex Sandro.
Switzerland follow up with another shot on goal but it's blocked by a wall of yellow. Warning signs for the Brazilians!
52' - The Man United midfielder miscontrols the ball near the centre circle and catches Sow as Switzerland looks to break away. He picks up a yellow as a result.
51' - Rieder chops down substitute Rodrygo inside Switzerland's half, prompting the referee to brandish the first yellow card of the afternoon.
48' - Militao steps up and catches Vargas on the ankle, but escapes going into the referee's book.
After seeming in some pain initially, Vargas shook it off and got back to his feet.
47' - Sandro plays a smart through ball forward from left back as Vinicius breaks clear of Widmer, but the forward is rightly adjudged offside.
46' - Rodrygo comes on in place of Paqueta for Brazil, as Richarlison gets the second-half underway.
Switzerland's last-gasp corner is cleared by Brazil, and the referee blows the half-time whistle.
Swiss pragmatism and organisation is frustrating Brazil thus far - but anything can happen in the second half.
Whisper it quietly... do the World Cup favourites NEED Neymar?
45' - Raphinha dazzles Rodriguez with quick footwork on the right wing and fires and in-swinging cross into the danger area, winning a corner.
From the subsequent set-piece, Thiago Silva meets Raphinha's cross from close range and looks to put Brazil ahead, but his header is just blocked behind for another corner.
Switzerland manage to scramble the ball away and survive, with one minute of added time left on the clock.
41' - Sow finds acres of space in midfield but Casemiro and Fred recover well to tighten the hole in midfield. The Swiss star is forced to pass out wide, which takes the sting out of Switzerland's attack.
The defence and midfield have no doubt had the upper hand at Stadium 974 as we approach half-time.
37' - Brazil are almost playing at a walking pace now, passing the ball around Switzerland's box as they probe for a gap in the defence.
This game is crying out for a moment of magic from somewhere. Switzerland are looking very comfortable at the back.
34' - Vinicius Jr finally has a chance to run one-on-one against Widmer but to his despair he sees the offside flag go up.
He has nobody to blame but himself there. No need to try and beat the offside trap from that position...
31' - Militao and Raphinha link up well on the right flank and the winger breaks clear of the defence as he cuts into a central area.
He's a long way out but the space is there, which prompts a long-range effort from about 35 yards. Raphinha hits the ball sweetly but it's straight at Sommer, who gets his body behind the shot and holds on.
27' - Raphinha cuts back on to his left foot on the right wing and swings a pinpoint delivery towards Vinicius in the box.
The winger makes contact with the ball on the volley but is denied by Sommer, who parries the shot away with a firm two-handed save.
Best chance so far!
25' - The match is going according to Switzerland's gameplan in the opening stages. Yakin's side are controlling the pace and seem to have used their possession more fruitfully so far.
As a result, the contest has lacked the same thrilling tempo we saw in today's earlier kick-offs. That won't bother Switzerland one bit though...
21' - The winger makes an excellent run in behind Brazil's back line and gets to the ball ahead of Thiago Silva.
Needing no second invitation, Vargas cuts the ball back towards the penalty spot, but there are no Switzerland players attacking the box, to the relief of Tite on the touchline.
18' - Vincius draws three Swiss players just inside the opposition's half and is caught on the ankles, winning a free-kick.
With Neymar out, the game plan from Switzerland is clearly to overload Vinicius and stop him at every opportunity.
15' - Xhaka plays a deep free kick short to Vargas but the winger is instantly surrounded by Brazilian shirts and he's forced to go backwards, taking the sting out of the set-piece routine.
It begs the question - against Brazil, why not pump the ball into the box when you get the chance?
Let's see what they do with the next one...
13' - A smart first-time pass from Paqueta releases Richarlison in behind, but the Spurs star cannot quite find Vinicius Jr in the box.
Moments later, Richarlison looks as though he's been played in again, but he overhits the ball with his first touch as he scampers past Elvedi.
A lively start from the in-form striker!
11' - Richarlison is chopped down by Elvedi inside Brazil's half as the forward tries to launch a counter attack.
No yellow was the right decision.
9' - Switzerland set up their best period of possession so far as they comfortably thread the lines between defence and midfield, but Brazil's midfield press has all the answers so far.
If Yakin's side are able to push passes beyond midfield anchor Casemiro, they'll have a good chance of hurting Brazil's defence.
5' - Casual at best. Sloppy is probably more appropriate...
Alisson's misplaced pass out from the back nearly finds Embolo in a dangerous position, but Brazil manage to recover at the expense of a corner.
It's a poor delivery though from the corner and Brazil survive.
3' - Brazil begin on the front foot as Richarlison leads Tite's press. Vinicius Jr draws a foul from Widmer on the right-flank and wins a free-kick in a promising position.
The free-kick is delivered in low and it somehow dribbles all the way through the sea of red and yellow shirts in the box.
Bright start from the favourites!
1' - Switzerland get us underway at Stadium 974. Here's a reminder of the teams...
BRAZIL: Alisson; Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Paqueta; Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison
SWITZERLAND: Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Sow, Vargas; Embolo
It's a boisterous atmosphere at Stadium 974 and both sets of supporters were in full voice during the countries' national anthems.
What will prevail? Brazil's flair and trickery or Switzerland's intelligence and pragmatism?
Kick-off is live, next!
Switzerland have proved tricky opposition for Brazil in the past and held the five-time champions to a 1-1 draw at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Here's how the two teams have fared during their previous meetings...
1950: Brazil 2-2 Switzerland (World Cup)
1956: Switzerland 1-1 Brazil (Friendly)
1980: Brazil 2-0 Switzerland (Friendly)
1982: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland (Friendly)
1983: Switzerland 1-2 Brazil (Friendly)
1989: Switzerland 1-0 Brazil (Friendly)
2006: Switzerland 1-2 Brazil (Friendly)
2013: Switzerland 1-0 Brazil (Friendly)
2018: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland (World Cup)
Switzerland's team bus crashed into the back of a police car on its way to Stadium 974.
Nobody was hurt in the incident because the vehicle wasn't travelling at speed, but the minor collision caused a pile up as the car behind the bus went into its rear...
No country has ever gone 17 group stage games undefeated at the World Cup, but Brazil could reach the astonishing feat tonight should they avoid a loss against Switzerland.
The last time they lost a group stage match at the World Cup was in 1998. Astonishing!
We've been treated with World Cup classics today! Let's hope the goals continue at Stadium 974 this afternoon.
Ghana soared 2-0 in front in the first-half through Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus, but South Korea fought their way back into the contest in the second with two goals in three minutes from Cho Gye-sung.
But Kudus broke South Korean hearts with his second and Ghana's winner in the 68th minute, all but ending their hopes of qualifying from Group H.
Read Sportsmail's full report below.
Despite his smart assist for Breel Embolo against Cameroon, Xherdan Shaqiri has been dropped by Murat Yakin, who opts for Ruben Vargas and Fabian Rieder on the flanks.
The Swiss may compromise width as a result but Yakin will hope the narrow midfield five will can limit Brazil's star-studded attackers in possession.
SWITZERLAND: Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Sow, Vargas; Embolo
As many predicted, it's Fred who will take the place of Neymar in the midfield three, as Tite opts for a more robust central trio in the absence of their superstar.
Eder Militao comes in at right-back for the injured Danilo while Richarlison retains his place following an impressive double against Serbia.
BRAZIL: Alisson; Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Paqueta; Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison
A reminder that right-back Danilo is set to join Neymar on the sidelines having also been ruled out for the remainder of the group stage through injury.
It's the second successive tournament in which Danilo has suffered an ankle injury, having picked one up in Russia four years ago.
Read Sportsmail's full story below. Team news next!
Technically, there's no disputing Neymar being one of the world's elite talents but this is the World Cup where he was supposed to pin the hopes of a nation on his back and deliver when it mattered. The injury has delayed that but will a semi-fit forward have the same impact later in the tournament?
Casemiro was in no mood to play down Neymar's importance. The Man United midfielder said: 'We have to be realistic and accept that Neymar is the best player in our team.'
This is genius... A very convincing Neymar doppelganger has been attracting plenty of attention around Doha.
The obvious giveaway that he isn't the real deal is probably the fact that he doesn't have a limp. The Brazil talisman is out of commission for the group stage having suffered a sprained ankle in the win over Serbia.
Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise, because the Selecao looked even more effective with him off the pitch, although that could well have been down to the injury.
Forget Arsenal loyalty, Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said to Gunners team-mate Gabriel Jesus before the World Cup. 'I will smash you!'
Xhaka said he will not be holding back against his Arsenal team-mates when Switzerland face Brazil today, as he prepares to face three Gabriels - Jesus, Magalhaes and Martinelli - at Stadium 974.
He insisted: 'We were joking before the World Cup about coming here and, of course, it is always good if you have team-mates opposite you, but we are professional footballers for 90 minutes and I told Gabby Jesus, "If you are running one on one against our goalkeeper, I will smash you!"
'It doesn’t matter that we are playing in the same team. This is the World Cup. You play for your own team, you play for your own country and you want to win.'
In the build-up to the match, former Wales international Robert Earnshaw praised Neymar for taking the 'limelight' away from Brazil's younger players and thinks it's now time for them to step up and repay the favour during the star forward's injury.
Earnshaw told Sky Sports via Football Daily on Monday: 'They've got so much talent. You look at Antony coming on, Vinicius was brilliant, I think he's the next one who can handle the pressure. But Neymar is such a talisman, I think he's got 71 goals in 120 games or so.
'He takes away a lot of the pressure and the limelight, and also gives a lot of opportunity for the other players around the squad to just shine. But he's missing...
'Richarlison's good. Jesus as well, he's another one who could come in. Martinelli is another talent. They'll be okay, that's the beauty and why Brazil are favourites.'
Richarlison's spectacular acrobatics against Serbia last week produced the goal of the tournament so far as Brazil went on to win 2-0 in their opening Group G fixture.
But Vincent Aboubakar netted wondergoal of his own against Serbia today, performing an astonishing scoop over the goalkeeper to launch Cameroon back into the game.
There's little doubt that these two goals are the best of the tournament so far, but which effort gets your vote?
Kaka thinks Brazil still have enough to win the World Cup without Neymar because of their 'strong group' of players, but admitted the PSG star remains the 'best' player within Tite's camp.
The Brazil legend told beIN Sports ahead of the match against Switzerland: 'In my opinion, Neymar is the best player on this team. One of the problems with Neymar is that he gave us a lot of expectation. Everyone waits for him to be amazing in every game.
'He didn't play his best game against Serbia but he was a playmaker. The first goal started with him. I think now, what we can see with this team is that they have a very strong group.
'Of course, Neymar is still the cherry on the cake but we still have a very strong group. To win the World Cup, you need a very strong group, not just some players. In my opinion, this is why Brazil can perform very well without him, but of course we still want him!'
If you thought this afternoon's match was a foregone conclusion - and Brazil would cruise to another comfortable win - then you may wish to think again.
Even without Neymar, Tite's side showed just how dominant they can be, but a sickness bug has since made its way through the camp, sidelining Antony, Lucas Paqueta and Alisson in training.
The trio are expected to be okay ahead of the Group G clash, but if Brazil are not quite feeling at their best on the pitch, Switzerland could well be ready to take advantage.
Read more about Brazil's battle against sickness in Sportsmail's full story below.
Cameroon and Serbia produced one of the games of the tournament so far in today's other Group G match, as the African side came from two behind to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining 3-3 draw.
Despite the gripping contest, the tie was little help to either side and handed a major boost to both Brazil and Switzerland, who are both two points ahead of Cameroon and Serbia heading into this afternoon's kick-off.
Read Sportsmail's full report and coverage of the six-goal thrilling below.
In case you hadn't heard, Neymar has been ruled out for Brazil until after the group stage, having picked up an ankle injury during their opening match against Serbia.
Although Richarlison's double inspired the five-time champions to a 2-0 win, Neymar's injury came as a major blow for Tite's side.
Neymar, who plays a free-roaming creative role behind Brazil's front three, is expected to be replaced by Manchester United midfielder Fred, although no confirmed team news has been announced at this stage.
Read Sportsmail's full story below for more information on Neymar's injury.
Hello!
Brazil and Switzerland face off at Stadium 974 in Doha this afternoon,and both sides know that a win will be enough to earn them a place in the knockouts following Serbia and Cameroon's thrilling 3-3 draw in Monday's early kick-off.
Neymar's ankle injury continues to be the big talking point ahead of kick-off as Tite looks to find a solution without his star man.
Follow Sportsmail's live blog throughout the afternoon for all the latest build-up, team news and match action. Here's all you need to know about when and where the Group G clash is happening...
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