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Casemiro (right) after his goal
Photo:
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Thanks to a late goal by Casemiro, Brazil won 1-0 (0-0) against Switzerland and thus reached the World Cup round of 16 early.
Switzerland, second in Group G with three points, has their place in the next round in their own hands.
Cameroon and Serbia, who drew 3-3 in the afternoon, have only picked up one point and are third and fourth.
The Brazilians found it difficult to get into the game without superstar Neymar.
Above all, the offensive didn't get off the ground without the attacker, who injured his ankle, and because the Swiss were mainly concentrating on defending, a tough game developed.
The first real chance came from Vinícius Júnior, who shot a precise Raphina cross straight at goal but failed to hit the ball properly.
The Swiss keeper Yann Sommer parried strongly (27th).
Sommer also had few problems with a shot from Raphinha from around 25 meters (31').
The Swiss rarely dared to go forward, attacker Breel Embolo, who had scored to win against Cameroon, hardly got any usable balls.
The Swiss, who played without the ailing Xherdan Shaqiri, only became really dangerous for the first time in the second half.
Granit Xhaka freed Silvan Widmer, who moved into the penalty area and tried to pass Ruben Vargas.
But the Brazilians were careful and were able to clear the ball (53').
The Swiss then had more confidence and kept putting Brazil under pressure.
This created spaces for the Brazilians – which they promptly used to put themselves in the lead.
After a through ball from Casemiro, Vinícius Júnior got past defender Nico Elvedi and put the ball in the goal.
However, the goal was canceled due to an offside position (64th).
However, it was not Vinícius Júnior who was offside, but Richarlison, who had previously fought for the ball.
The Brazilians then increased the pressure – and rewarded themselves.
Rodrygo put it on Casemiro, who shot in the penalty area.
The slightly deflected shot landed in the right corner, this time Sommer had no chance (83').
kyo
