Brazil broke Costa Rican hearts
as they snatched a last-minute 2-0 win in Saint Petersburg. While late goals
from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar kick-start their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™,
back-to-back defeats have ended the Central Americans' hopes of progression.
A Seleção controlled the game from start to finish, averaging
two-thirds of possession while largely camped in the Costa Rican half. Chances
were slim in the opening period, with the best falling to Los Ticos' Celso Borges as
they threatened on the counter-attack.
Brazil got their eye in after the break, though, finally
fashioning the clear-cut opportunities they had been threatening. While Gabriel
Jesus rattled the bar, it took until the start of stoppage time for Coutinho to
pounce on a loose ball before Neymar side-footed home with virtually the final
kick of the game.
Team reporter analysis Giancarlo Giampietro with Brazil [Follow: Twitter]
Tite was creative with his substitutions and with them the team
gained speed and offensive presence compared to the opening period, putting
Costa Rica under heavy pressure. Brazil gave a terrific performance in the
second half and were persistent enough to keep chasing the goal, finally
being rewarded in dramatic style in stoppage time. What an ending!
·Diego
Picado with Costa Rica [Follow: Twitter]
A tactical game with some touches of 'Jogo Bonito' from both sides, ultimately
Costa Rica knew the only way to stop Brazil's exceptional striking options was
with experience and tactical discipline across the board. The introduction of
Christian Bolanos gave them another rhythm after the break, with greater speed
an attempt to provide some respite from the defensive onslaught. But Brazil are
Brazil. They pushed as hard as they could and they were rewarded with two
goals. Costa Rica performed well but fell agonisingly short against one of the
tournament favourites.
Budweiser Man of the Match Philippe Coutinho added
not only a second goal to his haul at Russia 2018, but also a second man of the
match award, having again been a creative hub for A
Seleção.
The stat 7 - While it clearly was
the late show from Brazil, the statistics back it up, too. Neymar's strike
seven minutes into stoppage time was the latest ever at a World Cup in regular
time.
What’s next Serbia v Brazil – Group E, 27 June, Moscow (Spartak) Switzerland v Costa Rica – Group E, 27 June, Nizhny Novgorod
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