Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica: Philippe Coutinho and Neymar win it for the Selecao in injury time
- Superstars sneak Tite’s team to a first win in Group E
- VAR overturned Brazil penalty decision
- Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain stars leave it late to score
Philippe Coutinho and Neymar struck in injury time to hand Brazil their first victory of World Cup 2018 as they beat Costa Rica 2-0.
Barcelona midfielder Coutinho’s run from the edge of the box saw him sneakily fire past the unlucky Keylor Navas from 12 yards one minute into added time before Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar made sure with a second goal five minutes later.
Los Ticos had defended manfully for 90 minutes but couldn’t hold out with Coutinho renewing an old partnership by scurrying onto Roberto Firmino’s knockdown, which also got a flick from Gabriel Jesus.
Neymar, who endured a frustrating game and was left in tears at the final whistle, ensured his team the three points by nudging in a Douglas Costa pass from close range.
The result eliminates Costa Rica who also lost 1-0 to Serbia in their first Group E game.
In an enthralling fixture, the first clear-cut chance of the first half came for Costa Rica, with a surge down the left flank, but Celso Borges scuffed a Cristian Gamboa shot wide of the upright when he should have at least hit the target.
Brazilian trickery allowed plenty of set-piece opportunities when fouls were drawn from the enthusiastic but clumsy Los Ticos tackles. Unfortunately, delivery from Neymar left a lot to be desired.
After 26 minutes Brazil picked up the tempo, Gabriel Jesus hammered home a shot beyond Keylor Navas but the Manchester City man but sadly for the serviced-starved striker he was offside from Marcelo’s original shot.
Brazil had Costa Rica on the ropes as the half progressed but their long-range shots were barely a test for their opponents.
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In the second half, though, their resilience was given a real examination. Gabriel Jesus hit the bar with a header, while Coutinho and Neymar baffled their markers with their control in the penalty, with the former’s shot deflected wide.
Costa Rica remained a threat on the counter but Miranda was able to repel two attacks as he formed a formidable pairing with Thiago Silva.
Neymar should have scored the first goal of the game with 72 minutes gone but after capitalising on a defensive error he fired a fierce shot, from 18 yards, just wide.
And the Paris Saint-Germain star thought he had a penalty but after a slight tug from Giancarlo Gonzalez but VAR allowed referee Björn Kuipers to overturn the decision he had made.
As his frustration grew, the 26-year-old was booked for dissent, punching the ball into the turf after another decision went against him.
But in the end he had the last laugh as he and Coutinho claimed late goals in breath-taking fashion.
STAR MAN
Neymar and Phillipe Coutinho may have won them the match but their best player on the day was hauled off early as Tite changed his tactics to a front-two.
Barcelona star Paulinho not only passed the ball to his team-mates with verve and creativity but his movement and skill on and off the ball was delightful.
He salvaged two situations which looked set to pass Brazil by as they battered Costa Rica early in the second half and showed a tiger-ish will to force the issue but Tite decided to remove him after 68 minutes.
Luckily for all concerned his nation managed to claim victory.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
After 77 minutes it appeared Brazil would have the chance to score from the penalty spot but thanks to VAR the opportunity was rescinded. Video clearly showed Neymar exaggerating some slight contact and allowed Costa Rica to hold on for a share of the spoils.
LINE-UPS
Brazil: Alisson, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Casemiro, Paulinho (Firmino 68’), Willian (Douglas Costa 46’), Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus (Fernandinho 90+2’).
Subs not used: Cassio, Pedro Geromel, Filipe Luis, Renato Augusto, Marquinhos, Fernandinho, Fred, Taison, Danilo, Ederson.
Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa (Calvo 75’), Gonzalez, Acosta, Duarte, Oviedo, Venegas, Guzman (Tejeda 83’), Borges, Ruiz, Urena (Bolanos 54’).
Subs not used: Pemberton, Smith, Colindres, Campbell, Wallace, Azofeifa, Waston, Gutierrez, Moreira.
GROUP E TABLE
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