Brazil advances to round of 16; topping Serbia, 2-0
MOSCOW — Worried no more, Brazil is through at soccer’s World Cup.
Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored a goal each Wednesday to give the five-time champions a 2-0 victory over Serbia and first place in their group.
Brazil struggled in its opening two matches, first held to a 1-1 draw and then needing late goals to win the other. But they controlled this one.
Paulinho gave his team the lead when he met a lofted ball from Philippe Coutinho in the 36th minute.
The defensive midfielder let the ball bounce in front of him near the penalty spot and kicked his right leg up in the air to tap it
over the Serbian goalkeeper’s fingertips.
Silva later scored with a powerful header in the 68th from Neymar’s corner.
Brazil finished first in Group E and will next face Mexico in the round of 16 on Monday in Samara.
Serbia was eliminated, finishing third in the group behind Switzerland.
Both of Brazil’s goals came when Serbia threatened to get back into the match.
The Serbs nearly scored in the 61st when Brazil goalkeeper Alisson pushed the ball into the path of forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose shot bounced off the keeper and was bound for goal before being cleared by Silva.
For most of the first half, Brazil couldn’t break through Serbia’s compact back line. But the player that coach Tite calls his “secret weapon” lived up to his name by scoring the first goal at Spartak Stadium.