Brazil left it late but scored two goals in injury time to propel themselves to a crucial victory over Costa Rica in St. Petersburg, in a game which eliminated Costa Rica from the tournament.
Philippe Coutinho scored his second goal in two games to give his team the lead, toe-poking the ball through the legs of Keylor Navas in the 91st minute, before Neymar added gloss to the scoreline with a tap-in in the last of six added minutes.
Brazil started the game slowly, seemingly content to pass sideways and backwards whilst all too frequently losing the ball when actually going forwards. In the opening 20 minutes of the game, Costa Rica were the team looking more threatening despite having just 32% of possession in the first half. Celso Borges had the half’s best chance, but could only sweep the ball wide from 12 yards out.
Brazil began to improve after Neymar moved to the left halfway through the first period, and came flying out of the gates in the second half, with Jesus thumping a header against the crossbar and Navas making key saves from Neymar and Coutinho.
This wouldn’t be a World Cup game in 2018 without controversy, however, and when Neymar (who had been on the receiving end of some heavy challenges) went to ground in the 78th minute with Giancarlo González in close proximity, Dutch referee Björn Kuipers pointed to the spot. After VAR review, Neymar was adjudged to have exaggerated the contact, and the penalty was overturned.
It seemed that the Brazilians would be frustrated until the end, with both Neymar and Coutinho being booked for dissent, as the game entered stoppage time scoreless. In the 91st minute, however, Roberto Firmino nodded down a cross to Gabriel Jesus, whose poor touch fortuitously rolled into the path of Coutinho, having made a run into the box, and he stabbed the ball between the legs of Navas to spark wild celebrations from the Brazil bench.
As Costa Rica committed men forwards in the final throes of the game, Neymar, (who was the centre of attention in this game) completed his performance with a goal – a simple finish from six yards out, on the end of an unselfish Douglas Costa square ball, to finish off the game.
The victory sparked scenes of immense relief from the Brazil players and fans as they secured a vital three points to take the lead of Group E, with Switzerland and Serbia still to play later on Friday. Although the win doesn’t guarantee qualification for Brazil, it does transform their outlook and they will have a lot of momentum to carry into their final group game against Serbia on Wednesday. Costa Rica, who had surprised so many four years ago, see their tournament come to an early end, with no points from their first two games leaving with them no way to progress.
Alisson - 6
Had very little to do all game, but did come out of his box to clear a few long balls in the second half
Fagner - 7
A good performance from Brazil’s third choice right back. He got forward well in the first half but faded as the game went on.
Thiago Silva - 6
Had very little to do defensively, but made a couple of good tackles to break up some Costa Rican counter attacks in the first half.
Miranda - 6
Again, did not have many questions asked of him. Had a few uncertain clearances, however.
Marcelo - 7
Got forward plenty, as he is always keen to do. A lot of Brazil’s best play came from the triangle of Marcelo, Coutinho and Neymar on the left-hand side.
Casemiro - 6
Something of a pedestrian performance from the Real Madrid man. Completed plenty of passes but didn’t contribute too much going forwards.
Paulinho - 7
Came to life after an anonymous first half with the introduction of Douglas Costa, with whom he linked up well. Got forwards much more and created a couple of good chances before being taken off in the 68th minute for Roberto Firmino as Tite looked to go more attacking.
Coutinho - 8
Another great performance from the man who has been Brazil’s best player at the World Cup so far. Was excellent passing between the lines, and rounded his performance off with the key goal in the game after a great run into the box. Did also pick up a yellow card for dissent.
Neymar Jr. - 8 (MOTM)
Neymar was never far from controversy in this game – having a penalty overturned before being booked for dissent, he often cut an extremely frustrated character throughout the game. He never stopped playing though, and was rewarded for his persistence with a goal. Looked like he was starting to heat up after a long injury absence as well – his rainbow flick at the end of the game shows he is coming back to full confidence, and this can only be good news for the World Cup as a spectacle.
Willian - 4
Had very little to offer, and was often caught looking half-asleep in the shade in St. Petersburg, often miscontrolling the ball and misplacing simple passes. Was removed at half time by Tite.
Gabriel Jesus - 7
Lacked service in the first half and was forced to drop deep to collect the ball. Was much more involved in the second half, and arguably should have scored but was only able to direct his powerful header onto the bar. Subbed off right at the end of the game.
Douglas Costa - 8
Introduced for the ineffective Willian at half time, he provided direct play and got the assist for Neymar’s goal. Brazil were much more threatening with Costa on the field and should really be starting in their key game against Serbia.
Roberto Firmino - 7
Didn’t really have any clear opportunities after coming on in the 68th minute, but did win the header that led to Coutinho’s opener.
Fernandinho - N/A
Came on in the 92nd minute.
Tite - 7
His team was much better after half time, and the introductions of Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino led to the goals that gave his team an extremely important win.
Keylor Navas - 8
Was my MOTM up until the 91st minute. Made a few very good saves and a several routine ones, but looked to be having a solid outing. There was nothing that he really could have done to stop the two goals, and he will feel hard done by.
Óscar Duarte - 6
Did a solid job defending before capitulating at the end.
Giancarlo González - 5
Arguably got away with one after making contact Neymar in the box, and would have been relieved after the penalty was overturned, even though it ultimately didn’t matter.
Johnny Acosta - 5
Again, was having a solid game until the dying minutes. Was booked for time wasting in the 84th minute.
Cristian Gamboa - 6
May have been Costa Rica’s best outfield player in the first half, linking up with Venegas on the right hand side. Also clattered Neymar a couple times, before being taken off in the 75th minute.
Bryan Oviedo - 5
The Sunderland man didn’t have much to contribute on his recall to the team.
Celso Borges - 5
Missed Costa Rica’s best chance of the game, sweeping wide from 12 yards out when he should have at least hit the target.
David Guzmán - 5
Had a decent enough game, somehow got away without a booking after hacking at Douglas Costa’s shins before being immediately replaced in the 83rd minute.
Bryan Ruiz - 5
Ruiz is at his best playing an influential midfield role, but was hardly in this game at all.
Johan Venegas - 6
Had some decent play down the right in the first half, but had almost no impact in the game after being moved to the middle after Christian Bolaños’ introduction.
Marco Ureña - 5
Looked totally isolated playing as the lone front man for the second game in a row, and was taken off in the 54th minute.
Christian Bolaños - 5
Came on in response to Brazil’s strong start to the second half, but could not do anything to disrupt their dominance in the second half.
Francisco Calvo - 5
Came on in the 75th minute for Gamboa as Costa Rica tried to go more compact.
Yeltsin Tejeda - 5
Came on in the 83rd minute and made no impact.
Óscar Ramírez - 5
His team did a good job of frustrating Brazil, but in honesty they deserved to lose this game. They had one chance in the entire game and otherwise exited the tournament in an uninspiring fashion.