FIFA World Cup: Casemiro goal helps Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0, qualify for round of 16

Brazil vs Switzerland, FIFA World Cup 2022: Casemiro’s goal in the 83rd minute helped five-time champion beat the Swiss side to make it two wins out of two matches in Group G.

Published : Nov 28, 2022 23:23 IST , DOHA, QATAR

Brazil’s Casemiro (centre) after scoring his team’s winning goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group G match against Switzerland at Stadium 974 on Monday in Doha, Qatar.
Brazil’s Casemiro (centre) after scoring his team’s winning goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group G match against Switzerland at Stadium 974 on Monday in Doha, Qatar. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
infoIcon

Brazil’s Casemiro (centre) after scoring his team’s winning goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group G match against Switzerland at Stadium 974 on Monday in Doha, Qatar. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Can one man make a team? The answer to the question must be equivocal – yes and no.

It was unquestionably yes for Diego Maradona with his electric solos for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. And certainly, just one man can make a team better.

While Brazil is a team of stars, there’s only one sun – Neymar – around which the other 10 planets revolve.

With the forward not there to draw in the opposition and their fouls towards him, the Brazilians failed to gain that extra inch for most of the game and needed another World Cup-worthy strike – this time from Casemiro – for a hard-fought 1-0 win over Switzerland at Stadium 974.

In a stacked-up container park near the fashionable hub of Corniche, Brazil started half-heartedly as if trying to refigure the way to play which, for so long, had Neymar leading the process.

Tite, to compensate for the overall role the missing hero plays, changed his formation to 4-4-2, dropping Vinicius Junior to the midfield to rely on his speed to run with the ball and prise open the Swiss defence.

But the two men upfront – Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta – were often left wandering alone.

Vinicius, who looked the most dangerous, but could not pick the target, failed to get the weight behind his stab on goal after Raphinha’s swinging cross came his way in the 27th minute.

The Swiss, too, threatened on the counter – now and then – and Ruben Vargas with his back to Alisson’s goal, trapped and turned, but the experienced Thiago Silva was quick to spot his trick and rushed in with the crucial block.

Brazil was not its usual self and Alisson, much like he has done a few times at Liverpool, fiddled with the ball and almost suffered as Breel Embolo caught him in the act.

It was Vinicius who seemed to have soothed the Brazilian nerves after he ran beyond the lunging challenge of Nico Elvedi with a wee touch of his right foot, and rounded Yann Sommer to slot home in the 65th minute.

The Brazilian supporters – in yellow tux and headgear – were ready to start the party but VAR played spoilsport.

Finally, Casemiro, troubled by the inconstancies around, made a rare foray inside the box and he promptly scored with a thundering right footer that travelled past a diving Sommer with just seven minutes of regulation time left.

Brazil came searching for a few more and some last-gasp defending stopped the Swiss from conceding more.

The win and the qualification to the knockouts were secured, but Brazil still missed the radiance of its injured Helios.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment