General

Brazil struggle, beat Costa Rica 2-0

The squad managed to score in second-half added time

Published on 22/06/2018 - 14:28 By Marcelo Brandão - Brasília

Brazil’s first World Cup win came late in the match, in a rather dramatic fashion. After 90 minutes trying to break through Costa Rica’s defense, the Brazilian squad only managed to score in the stoppage time. Philippe Coutinho hit his second goal in the Word Cup, and Neymar wrapped it up—2-0.

The relief after the pressure from the 1-1 tie with Switzerland and a tough encounter with the Caribbean team brought Neymar to tears after the final whistle. Brazil showed a lot more game, but hardly precise finishes. “The victory was fair, awarding those who were willing to play,” defender Thiago Silva said after the match.

This time the video assistant referee (VAR) was called to action. Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers awarded Neymar a penalty but ruled it out after consulting the replay. Kuipers’s decision was fair.

Brazil had to cope with their adversary’s tightly close defense. Costa Rica’s man-marking was solid and efficient. Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus did little in the first half. Neymar, on the left, was nearly always seen with two or more opponents whenever in possession.

In the second half, with Douglas taking Willian’s place, Brazil fared better. The seleção finally scored in the 45th minute. Firmino sent the ball to the middle of the field with a header, before Gabriel Jesus tipped it over to Coutinho who scored 1-0: party time in Russia and all throughout Brazil. Anxiety dead and gone at long last.

Nearly four minutes to the end, the Brazilian team resorted to whiling away the time passing the ball around, but found time for a second goal by Neymar. In a quick counter-attack move, Casemiro sent it to Douglas Costa, who gave it to Neymar, who scored Brazil’s last. The final whistle brought relief and heralded Brazil’s first win in the World Cup.

In the next round, Brazil are to clash with Serbia. The fixture is slated for Wednesday (Jun. 27) at 3 pm (Brasília time). Brazil stand atop Group E with four points bagged in two matches. At 3 pm today, Serbia and Switzerland bring the second round of their group to an end.