Brazil finish the group phase on top of Group E, defeating Serbia tonight to knock them out and set up a round of 16 playoff with Mexico.
Goals from Paulinho after an epic run into the box, and Thiago Silva with a “Serbian-esque” thunderous header from a corner – and against the run of play – were the difference in a match were both teams spoilt other great opportunities.
The 2-0 result was a good and fitting result, despite Serbia making enough chances to have equalised when the game was at 1-0.
Brazil have 5 days to prepare for their game on Tuesday (12am AEST) against Mexico, and will hope both Marcelo and Douglas Costa (who couldn’t be used tonight) will gain fitness and create some selection dilemmas. The extra rest days can also only be a good thing for Neymar, who had an excellent game but is probably still short of match fitness.
The man of the match was Coutinho, who bossed the game in the first half and played that memorable through-ball for Paulinho’s goal. If Neymar can find his shooting range then the combination of Neymar and Coutinho will be irrepressible and could be the difference as Brazil shoot for a place on the dias in Moscow.
Final score
Brazil 2
Serbia 0
Perennial favourites Brazil take on Serbia in Moscow at 4am (AEST). Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match.
Brazil haven’t found their tempo so far in this tournament and need a good performance here to spark some form worthy of their pre-tournament favouritism. Four points have Brazil topping Group E – and a win in this game will seal first place – but their scorecard is flattered by injury-time winners against a stoic Costa Rica in their most recent hit-out.
A loss to Serbia and a Swiss draw or win would see Brazil spectacularly go out of the tournament.
Global super-brand Neymar looks underdone in this return from foot and ankle issues, and their forward combinations of Neymar, Grabriel Jesus, Willian and Coutinho have been shut down for long periods in both matches so far. Their goals have come from moments of individual brilliance (mostly from Coutinho) and not the breathtaking combinations they are capable of.
Manager Tite seems unsure of his best XI, with Liverpool striker Firmino and Juventus dynamo Douglas Costa both complicating his calculations. Costa’s injury will be a relief for Willian who will now retain his spot
Despite the protestations of the Brazilian camp, Neymar does still seem a little unready for tournament football – so there may be a temptation to rest Neymar to create an opening for one of their superlative bench options.
The Serbians, on the other hand, have put in two solid performances but are smarting after their recent loss to Switzerland. Serbia will feel they deserve more than the 3 points in hand – and with Switzerland also on 4 points Serbia need a win in this game to ensure progression.
Serbia are a well organised and even team, with an extremely experienced defensive block. They transition quickly in attack where target man Aleksandar Mitrovic and supporting midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are big, muscular players who can hold up the ball and bring their dynamic wide players – in particular Southampton’s Dusan Tadic – into the play.
Serbia’s height and power in the box makes them lethal from aerial attacks, and Aleksandar Kolarov’s magical left foot always creates havoc from free kicks, and he has already scored in this tournament from a 25 yarder. Any set-piece will present clear and present danger to Brazil. Serbia are playing near their peak ability and will make life hard for Brazil – especially if Brazil continue to be out of sync.
However, where Brazil has strengthened their team since the capitulation of 2014 is in defence, where world-class keeper Alisson commands the ball in his area. With a reliable keeper and back 4 and a conscientious pivot in either Casemiro or Fernandinho, Brazil are hard to pick apart and won’t easily crumble under Mitrovic’s aerial force.
Prediction
Ultimately Brazil’s biggest threat in this one will come from Brazil. Their pace and dynamism in the forward third should run rings around Serbia’s “Dad’s Army” defence – especially in the wide spaces – but that dynamism has been absent so far in this tournament.
Serbia will get their heads onto crosses, but if Brazil are on song they will make it hard for Serbia to have enough possession to make those chances.
Brazil 2-0.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
wide out on the RIGHT, of course
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Agreed Stevo. It was one of those weird games were both teams played pretty well - but one team just looked a class above.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
MATCH SUMMARY Brazil finish the group phase on top of Group E, defeating Serbia tonight to knock them out and set up a round of 16 playoff with Mexico. Goals from Paulinho after an epic run into the box, and Thiago Silva with a "Serbian-esque" thunderous header from a corner - and against the run of play - were the difference in a match were both teams spoilt other great opportunities. The 2-0 result was a good and fitting result, despite Serbia making enough chances to have equalised when the game was at 1-0. Although it wasn't a full 90 minute samba, there were enough moments of brilliance tonight from Brazil to point to a long stay in this tournament. Neymar, Coutinho and Willian (more-so in the second half) combined brilliantly to wear down the Serbian midfield and got in behind them time and time again. Like Serbia, Brazil also missed opportunities. The finishing of striker Gabriel Jesus let them down in big moments, and if those chances were taken more ruthlessly the margin may have been greater. Neymar also wasn't quite as cutthroat as he can be in those confined spaces that he usually thrives in. Brazil's 59% share of possession and 6 shots on target to Serbia's 2 underlined the difference in quality between the two teams. Even when Serbia had time on the ball, they were pushed wide by the Brazilian midfield. And once goal-scorer Paulinho was replaced with the more defensive Fernandinho, Serbia had no space to create higher quality chances. Serbia battled manfully but ultimately lacked the quality of their South American opponents, and their finishing was as profligate as Neymar and Jesus. Their best chance wasn't taken by Mitrovic in what was close facsimile of his goal against Switzerland, and indeed Mitrovic seemed to be not quite on his game for this match when his country desperately needed him. The big concern for Brazil will be the mysterious injury to Marcelo who trudged off very early in the first half. But the form of his replacement Felipe Luis was comforting - if not exhilarating - and he was an important figure playing short triangles on the left in behind Coutinho and Neymar. Brazil have 5 days to prepare for their game on Tuesday (12am AEST) against Mexico, and will hope both Marcelo and Douglas Costa (who couldn't be used tonight) will gain fitness and create some selection dilemmas. The extra rest days can also only be a good thing for Neymar, who had an excellent game but is probably still short of match fitness. The man of the match was Coutinho, who bossed the game in the first half and played that memorable through-ball for Paulinho's goal. If Neymar can find his shooting range then the combination of Neymar and Coutinho will be irrepressible and could be the difference as Brazil shoot for a place on the dias in Moscow.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Watching in Euroland with plenty of football fans is special :)
Stevo
Roar Rookie
There you go. Only saw the second half but Brazil have their mojo, they were unstoppable at times. Brilliant skills. Serbs should not be ashamed, they knocked the ball around pretty well.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
The other match is over, and it's ended 2-2.... although reports suggest Switzerland were lucky to get a point from it!
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Brazil go through 2-0. A thrilling, end to end second half and Serbia will be disappointed not to have at least scored tonight. But Brazil were the better team for the 90. Neymar had an excellent game only let down by some poor finishing.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
93' - BLOCKED Neymar is played through but Stojkovic continues to win their personal duel and gets down to block. Neymar will go goal less tonight but put in an excellent shift.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
90' - CHANCE. Zivkovic tries one from wide out on the range which flies over There'll be 3 minutes of extra time
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Switzerland have taken the lead in the other game. Not sure what impact that has on this one, other than to inspire Brazil not to concede thrice
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Serbia pressing in attack, getting as many men forward as possible They've made another SUBSTITUTION as well, with Jovic on for Mitrovic who is probably completely out of gas
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
89' - CLEARED, another wicked chance for Brazil that is blocked in the box. An extraordinary diagonal ball from Fernandinho is picked up on the other side by Neymar, but he can't settle to get a higher quality shot off, and Serbia walk it out
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
86' - SAVED! good positioning and awareness from Stojkovic. A wicked deflection bobbled to Neymar - who was integral in the lead-up play - and he was on it like a flash. His little poke over the keeper was swatted away by the keeper doing his best impression of Dikembe Mutombo
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
As it stands, Brazil will take on Mexico in the round of 16, and Switzerland will get Sweden in what might be a very even encounter.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Serbia are running out of time and ideas here. There is no space in midfield for them to work into
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
83' - OVER THE BAR from Neymar. Willian's penetrating run produces a cut back to Neymar who punches it hard and low and it bounces over the bar.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
82' - Serbia will also make a chance. Kostic is SUBSTITUTED for Radonjic
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
80' - Coutinho has earned a rest here. He's been excellent - especially in the first half. He's been SUBSTITUTED for Renato Augusto
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
79' - A CHANCE to Matic, who chests down a cross into the box and turns to fire it tamely wide. He might have gone for that with his head.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Costa Rica equalised (20 minutes ago) which makes things very interesting. A Costa Rican winner could bring the Serbian draw back into play (hold on, I'll go and get my graphics calculator to work out the permutations)