Brazil scores late to beat Costa Rica

After more than 90 minutes of aggravation and exasperation, Neymar and Brazil finally broke through Costa Rica’s smothering defense.

Philippe Coutinho scored in the first minute of stoppage time, and Neymar followed six minutes later to give Brazil a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on Friday at the World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Unlike Argentina and Lionel Messi, Brazil is still in a good position to advance to the round of 16. Costa Rica has been eliminated.

“The responsibility is huge when you are playing for the national team,” Coutinho said. “You have to be mentally strong from the beginning until the end. We fought until the end and we were rewarded.”

Neymar dropped to his knees after the final whistle, sobbing in his hands as his teammates surrounded him and then lifted him off the ground.

NIGERIA 2, ICELAND 0

Ahmed Musa gave Nigeria its first win at this year’s World Cup, and gave Argentina a gift.

Musa scored two secondhalf goals to help the Nigerians beat Iceland and move into second place in the group behind alreadyqualified Croatia.

SWITZERLAND 2, SERBIA 1

Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri scored in Switzerland’s victory over Serbia, and both celebrated by making a nationalist symbol to their ethnic Albanian heritage.

In the tournament’s first come-from-behind victory, Xhaka made it 1-1 in the 52nd minute with a powerful shot through a crowded penalty. Shaqiri added the other in injury time after running past the Serbian defense.

Alastair Grant / Associated Press Brazil’s Neymar takes the ball past Costa Rica’s Johan Venegas, left, during their Group E match on Friday. Brazil won 2-0.