Switzerland held the draw against tournament favorites Brazil for more than 80 minutes. In the end there is a logical, deserved defeat. The chances of qualifying for the round of 16 remain intact for the Swiss.
Casemiro celebrates his winning goal.
For 83 minutes it seemed as if Brazil, the world number 1, would still not be able to overcome the Swiss national team at a World Cup: the two previous comparisons in 1950 (2: 2) and 2018 (1: 1) had ended in a draw. But then Casemiro, Manchester United’s central midfielder, struck the heart of Switzerland: his powerful missile was deflected off Manuel Akanji and landed in the net; goalkeeper Yann Sommer had no chance to defend himself.
It was a deserved victory; the tournament favorites Brazil had dominated and controlled the game for 90 minutes, the action took place almost exclusively in the Swiss half of the pitch. The Brazilians thought they were in the lead after just 64 minutes, before the video referee stepped in and ended the frenetic celebration: the goal by Vinicius Junior, the Real Madrid striker, was preceded by an offside position.
Brazil without Neymar and Danilo, Switzerland without Shaqiri and Okafor
In the Stadion 974, which was not sold out again, both teams had to do without important players: Neymar and Danilo were missing for Brazil, Xherdan Shaqiri and Noah Okafor for the Swiss. Shaqiri, perhaps the most important offensive force in the squad, was on the bench with thigh problems – and was represented by the 20-year-old YB player Fabian Rieder, who, however, was in too big shoes in this role.
Unlike Brazil, Switzerland don’t have the breadth of squads to replace one star with another; the absences help to explain why Switzerland did not actually play an offensive game for 90 minutes and hardly fired a shot on goal. The performance was focused and courageous. But she also had something conservative. A point win would have been flattering. “It hurts because we fought well. But playfully that was not enough. You could see that Brazil has the better individual players,” said defender Silvan Widmer. Captain Granit Xhaka said, “One point would not have been stolen.”
If Cameroon beat Brazil, things will get even tighter
However, the chances of progressing remain intact for Switzerland: Cameroon and Serbia drew 3:3 in a spectacular game in the morning, which means that a draw against Serbia on Friday evening could already be enough for the round of 16 qualification. It will be complicated if Cameroon should win against Brazil in the last group game: Switzerland would then have to get at least one point against Serbia and also have the better goal difference than the Africans.
Brazil 1-0 Switzerland (0-0).
Stadium 974, Doha. – 43 649 spectators. – Referee: Barton (ESA). – Goal: 83. Casemiro 1-0.
Brazil: Alison; Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Silva, Alex Sandro (86th Telles); Casemiro; Fred (58th Guimaraes), Paqueta (46th Rodrygo); Raphinha (73rd Antony), Richarlison (73rd Jesus), Vinicius Junior.
Switzerland: Summer; Widmer (86th Free), Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder (58th Steffen), Sow (75th Aebischer), Vargas (58th Fernandes); Embolo (75th Seferovic).
Remarks: Brazil without Neymar and Danilo (both injured). Switzerland without Okafor (injured). Warnings: 50. Rieder. 52. Fred. 64. Goal disallowed by VAR for offside by Vinicius Junior.
Ranking: 1. Brazil 2/6 (3-0). 2. Switzerland 2/3 (1:1). 3. Cameroon 2/1 (3-4). 4. Serbia 2/1 (3:5).