COSTA RICA

NEYMAR sobbed as Brazil scored twice in stoppage time to avoid the kind of embarrassment their South American rivals Argentina suffered 24 hours earlier.

Brazil were heading for a second successive draw and into a nervy final game against Serbia.

Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, had been denied repeatedly by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, he had missed a string of chances, he had been booked for dissent and had a penalty award overturned on VAR by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers.

But in the first minute of stoppage time, Philippe Coutinho burst into the Costa Rica box to score for the second time in two games to finally put Brazil ahead, and six minutes later Neymar sealed it to effectively send Costa Rica home. The night before Argentina had lost 3-0 to Croatia, leaving their hopes of making the knockout stages in the balance.

On the final whistle Neymar was in tears after an emotional roller-coaster of a match.

He had started quietly, shorn of the extravagant hairstyle he displayed in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland, and came in for some heavy treatment.

Meanwhile in the Costa Rican goal, Navas was making save after save.

Neymar thought he had won a penalty in the 78th minute when he went down theatrically after feeling the hands of Giancarlo Gonzalez on him, and Kuipers pointed to the spot. But after checking with the VAR officials, the Dutchman agreed that Neymar had fallen far too easily and overturned the decision.

Neymar showed his frustration, punching the ball into the ground after failing to win a free-kick, earning himself a booking.

But the Paris SaintGermain star eventually found the net as the clock ticked into stoppage time.

Roberto Firmino headed down a cross towards Gabriel Jesus, and although the Manchester City striker failed to control the ball, it fell into the path of Coutinho, who darted forward and stabbed it past Navas from close range. Such was the excitement that Brazil coach Tite hurt himself celebrating as the 57-year-old tumbled onto the pitch.

There was more celebration to come as Douglas Costa, on as a second-half substitute for Willian, passed across the area for Neymar to tap in his 56th goal for Brazil.

BRAZIL COSTA RICA (4-5-1): Booked: Referee: (4-2-3-1): Booked: