Casemiro's goal takes Brazil to pre-quarter

DOHA: Doha's Stadium 974 thrummed to the samba beat on Monday night as Brazilian fans brought Latin American swagger to this patch of Qatar and Casemiro fired Brazil into the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup finals with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland. The midfielder's spectacular 83rd minute goal sent Brazil through with a game to spare and lit a touch paper to a contest that up to then had struggled to smoulder.

This Monday night clash looked to be heading for another stalemate before Casemiro’s moment of pure magic - one which saw him named man-of-the-match. 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 keeper could only watch in horror as the ball bulged the side of the inside of his goal. Cue cacophony. But while Rodrygo provided the assist, Casemiro and Brazil owe the bigger debt of gratitude to Vinicius Jr for the goal – Brazil’s newest superstar had drawn three increasingly desperate defenders onto him in a smart move which created rare space for the goal.

As important as Monday's victory was for Brazil, perhaps of more importance was the performance of Vinicius Jr – Vini to his team mates. The 22-year-old underlined his credentials as the perfect replacement for Neymar, a player who seems to physically break down every time Brazil need him the most.

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.