Brazil cruise past Serbia to set up Mexico showdown

Brazil have marched into the 2018 World Cup knockout rounds with a comfortable 2-0 win over Serbia in Moscow.

They have been joined by Switzerland who qualified second in Group E despite a 2-2 draw over the already-eliminated Costa Rica.

The result means Brazil will face Group F runners-up Mexico in the Last 16 in Samara on Monday and Switzerland will play Sweden a day later.

AS IT UNFOLDED: Serbia v Brazil

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Tite’s men were once again well below their best, but despite a shaky 15 minute period in the second half they were comfortably the better side against Serbia. Crucially, they did enough to avoid the same fate that befell Germany who were sensationally knocked out of the World Cup by South Korea.

The Seleção started where they had left off against Costa Rica. Inside the first three minutes Philippe Coutinho had a shot blocked and Gabriel Jesus had a golden opportunity rubbed out for offside.

However, Brazil were then dealt a blow as wingback Marcelo was forced from the field in just the 10th minute. But if Marcelo’s injury rattled them, Brazil didn’t show it and they began to settle into the match.

They spent much of the first half controlling possession but Serbia’s well-organised and compact defence were content to sit deep, soak up pressure and try and strike from set pieces.

As a result, after their early burst it took almost 25 minutes for Tite’s men to create their first meaningful chance. The ball fell to Neymar on the corner of the six-yard box, but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković.

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Coutinho steps up for Brazil

Neymar was once again the focus of attention, almost playing the role of pantomime villain with his early touches being booed by sections of the crowd. However, despite his chance he once again struggled to let his football do the talking and stamp his mark on the game.

However, when you have a player as gifted as Coutinho playing second-fiddle you’ll always be a threat.

The ex-Liverpool star played a wonderful throughball over the top to find Paulinho making a run from midfield and Serbia’s defence all at sea. The ball sat up perfectly for the ex-Tottenham midfielder to lob over the on-rushing Stojković to put Brazil 1-0 up.

With Switzerland leading Costa Rica 1-0 in the other match, Serbia knew they almost certainly needed to win if they were to advance to the knockout rounds.

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That knowledge seemed to spark Serbia into action as they looked a transformed team in the second half.

They pegged Brazil back into their own half, were putting men in dangerous positions and began to make use of their height advantage in the box.

All of a sudden Brazil looked rattled. Miranda sliced a dangerous cross over his own bar, and then Mitrovic was presented with two golden opportunities.

First, Alisson flapped at a low cross, but the Serb could only direct his header at Miranda on the line. Mitrovic then lost his man at the far post but he could only place another header right into the keeper’s grateful arms.

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Three minutes later Serbia were made to pay for their profligacy.

Neymar whipped in a corner, Thiago Silva lost Nemanja Matic and bulleted a header home at the near post.

The took the wind out of Serbia’s sails. There was still 20 minutes to go but with Switzerland and Costa Rica level in the other match, Serbia knew their World Cup was over.

Neymar almost had the final say, but his attempted chip was swatted down by Stojković to preserve the Serbs’ pride.