World Cup 2018: Brazil vs Switzerland, 5 Talking Points

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Brazil drop points against Switzerland in Group E

SCORE: Brazil (Coutinho 20') 1-1 Switzerland (Zuber 50')


On a day of upsets, after Germany were humbled by Mexico in group F, Brazil failed to overcome a tenacious Switzerland side who responded brilliantly after going a goal down in the opening quarter of the game to a wonder strike from Phillipe Coutinho.

Instead of wilting under the pressure of performing on the biggest stage, the Swiss managed to get a foothold in the match and slowly made their way back to parity, in one of their finest performances in the competition's history.

After Serbia had won their game against Costa Rica, Brazil were expected to go above them into top spot in Group E but were held to a draw in their opening fixture of the WC 2018.

Despite a late flourish, in which Brazil carved out a number of decent chances, which were thwarted by some good goal-keeping and dogged defending, they failed to get off to the start everyone at home wanted, and everyone around the globe expected. Here are the Talking Points:


#5 Brazil's first goal in the World Cup is an absolute stunner!

Brazil v Switzerland: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Coutinho with an absolute stunner!

This World Cup has given us everything we could've asked for and more, and we're not even done with the first round of matches yet!

Brazil are firm favourites in the eyes of the world as they have a wealth of talent in their side, each of whom seems to be hitting the straps in their careers at the best possible time. The legend of Neymar Jr. is growing stronger with each passing season. He has rightly been dubbed the 'Golden Boy' of Brazil.

On the night though, it was another Brazilian who has slowly been making a name for himself as one of the best in the business: Phillipe Coutinho, stole the limelight and he showed us exactly why he is considered as such. A stunning strike from the edge of the box, curling the ball beyond the far post before bringing it back in. In it went off the woodwork.

We shouldn't be surprised considering he has done it repeatedly not for his club sides, but we're certain this one tasted just that little bit sweeter, coming in the World Cup opener for Brazil.

#4 Brazil handed the initiative to the Swiss after going a goal up

Brazil v Switzerland: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Shaqiri looked lively throughout

After going a goal ahead through the stunner from Coutinho, Brazil were more than content to sit back and let the Swiss have all the of the ball, and dictate all of the play. That afforded them the opportunity to counter on a couple of occasions. Apart from that, they provided very little to the proceedings in the first half.

Even though Switzerland were unable to make anything out of all the possession they enjoyed after going a goal down, it must've certainly helped them to grow into the game against mighty Brazil. A couple of crosses into the box were dealt with nervously by the two centre-backs in yellow but no harm was done.

But allowing Switzerland to settle into the game, in the remaining 25 odd minutes in the first half, came back to haunt them in the second half.

#3 The Swiss level it up from a dead-ball situation

Brazil v Switzerland: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Brazil breached

After weathering the early onslaught from Brazil after the restart, Switzerland started to make more of an impression in the opposition half. With the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka pulling the strings in midfield, Switzerland were starting to look menacing.

But before they could make the pressure tell, Brazil decided to hand them the leveler thanks to some shocking man-marking on a Swiss corner. As the ball was whipped in, everyone in yellow got sucked towards the ball, but the trajectory of the ball from Shaqiri was such that it by-passed all of them before looping onto the head of Steven Zuber, who managed to find acres of space inside the six-yard box.

It was harder to miss than to score from there and Zuber obliged. The centre-back pairing of Miranda and Silva managed to deal with almost all of the aerial threat posed by Switzerland but failed to do so when it mattered the most.

#2 Tite will be concerned with the way Brazil responded

Brazil v Switzerland: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Tite cut a frustrated figure on the touch-line

Champions are often determined by the way they respond in the face of crisis. Losing a lead is far from catastrophic, especially in the World Cup. It is something that front-runners always need to keep their minds open to.

When Brazil opened the scoring, it looked ominous for Switzerland. It looked like it could be a long night for the men in red. However, Brazil's inability or lack of desire to consolidate that lead meant that Swiss could sneak their way back into the game.

What will concern Tite, is not that they conceded the goal. Apart from the manner in which they conceded it, the way they responded after being pegged back will trouble the manager. Brazil were shocked into their shell and it was Switzerland who looked like the more likely to score the winner. The tricks and flicks were no longer coming off. The Swiss were now getting into the faces of the Brazilians and they looked panicked.

It took them a while to recover, but it was too little too late, as a late flurry was unable to get them the goal they so desperately wanted.

#1 Neymar's hair shone more than his talent

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Neymar Jr. looked off
colour

No matter what the Brazilian superstar does, it makes the news. He often tends to enjoy all the attention that he receives. He decided to color his hair golden for the opening fixture of the game and the world lost its cool. It was, arguably, talked about more than the game itself in the buildup to the match.

When the game did kick-off, Neymar failed to translate all the glitter and the glamour onto the field. He is returning after a long layoff due to an injury he sustained while with PSG, but even then, a lot more was expected from the wonder-kid.

It will be interesting to see how he responds to this disappointment and all the attention, not the kind he likes, he is bound to receive after failing to make a mark in the opening fixture of the World Cup.

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Edited by Zeeshan Ali