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Both Brazil and Costa Rica will be looking for their first win of the tournament when they meet each other in an all-important Group E match to be played at Saint-Petersburg stadium today.
The South Americans didn’t get the start they would have liked as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a gritty Switzerland side in their opening fixture and they would be itching to make amends against the Los Ticos.
Costa Rica followed even a worse result as they were undone by a brilliant Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick in their game against Serbia and Brazil clash is a must win for them if they are to stay in the hunt for the round-of-16.
Four years ago they stunned the world as they made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil, from a group that included Uruguay, Italy and England. A similar fate this time around is all but over as one would expect Tite's men to get the better of an ageing Costa Rican side by the time the final whistle is blown, however, they can take a leaf out of Switzerland's performance and frustrate the samba boys for as long as possible.
The Selecao will be without their right-back Danilo due to injury and Fagner is likely to start in his place, whereas Costa Rica are expected to start the same side that lost to Serbia.
Let’s take a look at five key players who could decide the tie.
#1 Neymar
Neymar was not his usual self in Brazil’s opening game as he failed to find the final pass or finish to break a well-organised Swiss defence. This was perhaps down to the fact that he was fouled umpteen times and the Swiss never really let him settle on the pitch.
The world's most expensive player had a prolific first season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 28 goals in 30 appearances before a foot injury saw him miss three months of competitive football.
On coming back, he scored two goals in the warm-up games against Croatia and Austria but his lack of match-sharpness was visible in the match against Switzerland.
As per reports, the forward had an injury scare when he limped out of training on Tuesday, however, he returned to the pitch next day, raising hopes among fans that he will feature on Friday.
A fit enough Neymar, on his day, can set fear among any side and Costa Rican back-line will be wary of his advances on Friday.
#2 Bryan Ruiz
He is the leader of the pack, the captain of Costa Rican ship.
Ruiz, known for his meticulous passing, will offer the supply line in Costa Rican midfield and his link-up play with striker Marco Urena will be crucial against the samba boys.
The 32-year-old has plenty of big game experience for his country, having also captained them in the last edition of World Cup in Brazil four years ago.
It was his winner against Italy that took Los Ticos through to round-of-16. He then scored a goal against Greece before netting a shoot-out penalty as they qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time in history.
Ruiz kept things ticking in the midfield in the first half against Serbia last Sunday but was quite intimidated by Nemanja Matic thereafter. He would face a similar sort of challenge from the likes of Casemiro and Paulinho and he needs to up his game if Oscar Ramirez’s men are to salvage something out of the match.
#3 Phillipe Coutinho
The 26-year-old came into the World Cup in sublime form.
He is naturally right footed and is known for his powerful strikes from outside the box. Take for instance the goal against Switzerland. After collecting the ball on the edge of the box, the former Liverpool man fired it off into the far corner with impeccable force.
Prior to his goal against the Swiss, the Barcelona play-maker scored four times in their qualifying campaign and struck another in their recent warm-up game against Austria.
His passing finesse and creative play will be crucial in terms of breaking down the stubborn Costa Rican defence.
If Neymar is ruled out of this game, he could form an offensive front-three alongside Gabriel Jesus and Willian and should that happen, it would be interesting to see how he fares.
#2 Keylor Navas
The shot-stopper impressed one and all in the last edition of the World Cup in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength since then, joining the Spanish club Real Madrid and helping them win a number of trophies, including three Champions League titles.
Against Serbia, the 31-year-old looked comfortable in goal as he punched cleared a couple of set-piece deliveries and made a vital save in the second half to deny Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Navas knows what it takes to win big matches and on Friday, he will be tasked with keeping the Brazilians at bay.
With Real Madrid reportedly set to part ways with the Costa Rican, the game against Brazil can be his springboard as he would like to lure big European clubs with some good glove-work.
#5 Gabriel Jesus
Back in 2014, when Brazil hosted the World Cup, Gabriel Jesus was captured painting the streets of Sao Paulo. Four years down the line, he led his country’s attack against Switzerland in Russia. What a story!
Jesus came into the World Cup on the back of a title-winning season with Manchester City and Russia could be another stepping stone in his already storied career.
He had an indifferent game against Switzerland in the 1-1 draw on Sunday and was taken off in the second half, however, the City star is expected to keep his place ahead of Roberto Firminio
Against a Costa Rican side that is likely to sit back and defend, his movements in the box will be imperative. Aided by Neymar and Coutinho from behind, he can exhibit his skills to the maximum.
