DOHA, QATAR, 28 NOVEMBER, 2022 (GPN): Brazil confirmed a place in the knockout stages after they prevailed over Switzerland following Casemero’s 83rd-minute late winner at Stadium974 in a Group G fixture in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Brazil appeared to be missing the panache provided by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Neymar as they repeatedly tried to sneak through Switzerland’s tenacious defence only to return without a goal. Switzerland was saved by VAR once when Vinicius’ goal was declared offside, but Brazil penalised them with Casemiro’s stunning shot to secure a win.
The second half began with both teams pushing each other to find the lead, resulting in two yellow cards in the initial minutes of the second half.

Like France, Brazil now have six points which assured them a last 16 spot with a game in hand. Switzerland are second in the group with three points ahead of Cameroon and Serbia, both of whom are on 1 point each.

In a tight contest at Stadium 974, it took Brazil a late goal from Casemiro for the win against a dogged Swiss side. Midfielder Casemiro scored the solitary goal for the five-time champions in the 83rd minute with a stunning finish.

Switzerland made two consecutive attempts to score in the 53rd and 54th minute but failed to finish, denying them a goal to take the lead.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr finished brilliantly to score in the 64th minute as the team burst into a celebration which lasted for a moment after the goal was called offside. The five-time World Cup champions dominated the game after the goal was called offside and looked like scoring any minute as they made constant runs to the Swiss box, maintaining a majority of the possession. They finally took the lead in the 83rd minute after Casemiro blasted the ball into the Swiss goal, helping his team advance to the round of 16.

Doha’s Stadium 974 thrummed to the samba beat as Brazilian fans brought Latin American swagger to this patch of Qatar. The sea of Brazilian fans won’t care about 80 or so minutes of sloppy passing and directionless play that was forgotten in the hysteria of the final minutes.

Tens of thousands of yellow shirts had painted the inside of this quirky stadium bright yellow in a frieze of canary, broken up only by small pockets of local fans in traditional white robes and a smattering of red Swiss shirts.

It was hard to believe this was a match being played on the Arabian Peninsula, for it had every setting of a home game for the Brazilians – from the thunderous roars accompanying every fancy move to the rhythmic beat drummed out throughout.

With Brazil increasingly desperate, half-time substitute Rodrygo played a first time ball to Casemiro who struck it with the outside of his foot and it glided in time-honoured Brazilian fashion past Yann Sommer in goal, the Swiss watching in horror as it bulged the side of the inside of his goal.

While Rodrygo provided the assist, Casemiro and Brazil owe a huge debt of gratitude to Vinicius Jr for the goal  Brazil’s newest superstar had drawn three increasingly desperate defenders onto him which created space for the goal.

Winded by a cruel moment of Brazilian brilliance, the Swiss slumped and the match could well have ended two or 3-0, but that would have been unduly harsh on the Europeans who, for the most part, blunted their opponents.

The Swiss, though, can take heart from their performance and a win against Serbia in their final group match will send them through along with Brazil, and a draw could even be enough.