Match Report | Brazil 1 – 0 Switzerland
Brazil 1 (Casemiro 83′) – Switzerland 0
Casemiro’s late winner earns Brazil promotion from Group G
28 November 2022
Brazil became the first team to earn promotion out of the 2022 World Cup group stages after labouring to 1-0 win against Switzerland.
A win for either side was guaranteed automatic qualification from Group G after the 3-3 draw between Serbia and Cameroon earlier today.
Both teams struggled to create chances in the first half, with the game seemed destined for a draw after Vicinius Junior’s pulsating solo run and goal in the 64th minute was cancelled after Richarlison influenced the build-up from an offside position.
Manchester United’s summer signing, Casemiro, broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute, however, as his deflected volley rocketed past Yann Sommer.
The five-time World Cup winners struggled without their talisman, Neymar, who was sidelined for Brazil’s remaining group matches after suffering an ankle injury against Serbia.
Raphinha produced the most threatening play during the first half, picking out an unmarked Vinicius Junior in the 27th minute, but he failed to connect cleanly with the volley.
The Swiss, opting to sit deep in their own half, relied upon Akanji and Elvedi to fire speculative direct balls behind Brazil’s defence for their pacy front three to run onto.
Late corners for each side before the half-time break injected welcome tension, but both teams failed to make the most of the rare chances.
Switzerland flew out of the blocks to start the second half, pressing Brazil with intensity before calling upon Alex Sandro to intercept a dangerous cross on the 53rd minute.
Vinicius Junior responded minutes later with a smart pass across goal using the outside of his boot, which an outstretched Richarlison missed by inches.
After VAR overturned Vinicius Junior’s solo goal, the game descended into a stop-start affair for the final thirty minutes, until Casemiro’s late winner ensured three vital points and promotion for Brazil.
Switzerland, who sit second in Group G on three points, require at least a draw against Serbia to ensure qualification to the knockout stages.
Brazil: Alisson (GK), Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro (Alex Telles 86′), Fred (Bruno Guimaraes 58′), Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta (Rodrygo 45′), Raphinha (Antony 73′), Richarlison (Gabriel Jesus 73′), Vinicius Junior
Switzerland: Sommer (GK), Widmer (Frei 86′), Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder (Steffen 59’), Sow (Aebischer 76’), Vargas (Fernandes 59’), Embolo (Seferovic 76′)
Referee: Ivan Barton
Man of the Match: Vinicius Junior