World Cup 2018: Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica: 3 key battles that decided the game

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The victory might have taken its sweet time, but Brazil deserve credit for not losing hope

#2 Coutinho vs Cristian Gamboa

Brazil v Costa Rica: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Coutinho leaps into the air after his goal against Costa Rica

The goal took forever to come, and when it did it was deserved that Coutinho was the one to score. After scoring a trademark screamer against Switzerland, this is Coutinho's second of many to come in the tournament.

Cristian Gamboa was the best player on the Costa Rica team after Keylor Navas, and most of it was dedicated to stopping the pair of Neymar and Coutinho on his side of the pitch. 75 minutes seemed to have drained out every last drop of energy in his body, and he was replaced. In unrelated news, it was after that that Brazil scored.

Coutinho's second goal might not have been as spectacular as his opener, but this got the team two more points. After a poor touch from Jesus off a Firmino header, Coutinho barged into the box and nutmegged Navas to ensure that Brazil did not finish with another draw.

After not being selected for the previous WC, Coutinho has firmly established his resourcefulness for the team and his creativity in attack and will be vital to their future in the cup.

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