In control this time, Brazil claims first place
MOSCOW — Worried no more, Brazil is through at the 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 the Brazilians controlled this one, and it was a big relief to Tite, Brazil’s coach.
“I’m apparently at peace,” Tite said. “I’m still going to have a drink tonight for sure, a caipirinha. I’ll allow myself.”
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 in the air to tap it over the 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.
Four years ago, Paulinho was part of the Brazil team that was humiliated at home in a 7-1 drubbing by Germany in the semifinals. He said he’s learned so much since then, leaving Tottenham for a spell in China before joining Barcelona.
“A lot has changed in my life and my career,” he said. “I have to be aware of the evolution I have undergone in these last four years. My leaving England for China was good for me, did me well. … I recovered my self-confidence. I am here because I worked and I deserve it. In four years, I really developed a lot.”
SWITZERLAND 2, COSTA RICA 2
Switzerland is through to a knockout game against Sweden. Half of its starting defense isn’t.
Switzerland qualified second in Group E despite twice losing the lead in a draw with Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The riveting game culminated with an injury-time penalty from Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz that hit the crossbar and went in off Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s head.
Despite the late drama, a draw was enough to send Switzerland through to the knockout stage.
But the bad news for the Swiss: Yellow cards for captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and fellow defender Fabian Schaer — their second of the tournament — means they’ll be suspended for the Sweden match in St. Petersburg.
Their absence leaves two gaping holes to be filled at the back as Switzerland chases a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1954.
“This is certainly not an ideal scenario,” Switzerland midfielder Blerim Dzemaili said. “We don’t need to look at who’s not there, we need to look at who will be able to play. This is very disappointing.”