Switzerland got here again from a aim down to salvage a well-earned level in opposition to Brazil in their first match of the World Cup as the five-time champions gave an underwhelming efficiency on the Rostov Arena.

Anticipation was at fever pitch forward of the second match of Group E, with Brazil earmarked as one of many clear favourites to go all the way in which in Russia this summer time. Ultimately, nevertheless, the Selecao delivered an enigmatic and irritating efficiency in which few concrete possibilities ever materialised after Philippe Coutinho's gorgeous opening aim.

​A vigorous opening jiffy noticed the Swiss have a justifiable share of the possession, however Brazil's affect on the sport grew quickly as the gamers started to discover their rhythm on the pitch.

Much of Brazil's early attacking play got here from the flanks, with Chelsea star Willian giving Ricardo Rodriguez some actual issues on the wing. However, the opening aim got here down to the person brilliance of 1 man alone.

It was a luxurious strike from Coutinho, who instantly discovered himself in acres of area when Marcelo's cross was headed clear by the Swiss defence and responded by curling a completely positioned effort into the highest nook, simply clipping the publish on the way in which in.

Switzerland regularly regained a grip on the sport as the primary half wore on however continued to let themselves down in the ultimate third, with little or no of their build-up play evolving into real attacking risk.

As at all times, a lot of the pre-match dialogue was devoted to Neymar. Though anticipation was excessive for the ahead's comeback from harm, the world's costliest participant was subdued in the primary half - largely due to the spirited efficiency of Valon Behrami, who brilliantly shadowed him all through.

The second half threatened to be extra of the identical from each side, till Brazil gave away a sloppy nook 5 minutes in and Steven Zuber discovered himself utterly unmarked in the six-yard field to head residence. Brazil's defenders protested that Zuber shoved Miranda in the buildup however the aim was given with out VAR being consulted.

Chances in the second half have been few and much between, with each side largely cancelling one another out in the ultimate third. Coutinho had a likelihood to add to his earlier aim with twenty minutes left on the clock, however his half-volley skewed disappointingly vast.

Brazil started to flip up the warmth in the ultimate jiffy of the tie, Roberto Firmino drawing a good save from Yann Sommer with a header and Miranda sending a half-volley narrowly vast of the aim.

Though the Swiss spent the ultimate minutes of the tie with their backs to the wall, Vladimir Petkovic's aspect held agency to safe what may very well be a useful level. Brazil will nearly definitely be the much less pleased of the 2 sides, with their appreciable attacking expertise unable to produce sufficient high quality possibilities to safe the victory.