In Moscow bar, Brazilian fans blame it on ref
A number of Brazil fans who had arrived in Moscow ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup had stayed back in the city on the day of their Group E campaign opener against Switzerland in Rostov on Sunday.
“We have not travelled for the first game. Today, we will watch it with our friends in a bar. On Wednesday, we go to Saint Petersburg for Friday’s game (against Costa Rica),” said a Brazilian fan present at the Luzhniki Stadium here on Sunday during Mexico’s shock 1-0 win over defending champions Germany.
A handful of Brazilian fans were present at the ground for the second game of the day at the World Cup. Many more were scattered across the Russian capital.
As Brazil played Switzerland an hour after the Mexico-Germany game, most of the Selecao fans were seen on the Tverskaya Street as pubs in the area televised the game on large screens.
At one such pub, a sizeable Brazilian crowd had gathered. As Philippe Coutinho’s curler handed Brazil the lead in the 20th minute, cheers of the fans had drowned the music playing in the background.
The music was stopped, it had become insignificant. For the rest of the first half, Switzerland frustrated Brazil and the mood in the pub got sombre.
A few minutes into the second half, after Steven Zuber equalised for the Swiss, the music resumed, Brazilians fell silent.
As discontent grew among Brazilian fans with Switzerland’s rigid defending kept their team at bay, Portuguese expletives were hurled whenever the camera focused on the Swiss players. The referee wasn’t spared either as fans accused him of being too lenient.
Neymar was a persistent target of the Switzerland defence and every time he was brought down, frustration grew. As the match ended, many fans made a quick exit.
“The Swiss played like thugs. But we knew everyone would defend rough against Brazil and we should have done better. This is not how we are going to win the sixth championship,” said Marco, who has travelled from Sao Paulo to cheer his side.
We had 20 chances, but too many shots were off target. I put it down to stress, first match nerves. TITE, Brazil coach
I hope people will take notice of us, there’s lack of recognition and that’s a pity because we played very well. V PETKOVIC, Switzerland coach