World Cup 2018: Brazil into knockouts with win over Serbia

Brazil avoided a shock result that had earlier seen Germany knocked out of the World Cup by defeating Serbia to finish top of Group E and book a last-16 tie against Mexico.

They did so with the sort of occasionally dazzling performance that suggests they are growing into a tournament that they are one of the favourites to win, as they put behind them their slow start in Russia.

Paulinho had deservedly put Brazil in front with a deft finish after a brilliant run from deep saw him convert Philippe Coutinho's through ball in the first half.

Tite's team had to protect a slender lead for a shaky 15-minute period at the start of the second half as Serbia went all out for the win they then needed.

But Aleksandar Mitrovic found an opposition defender when he should have scored and saw another header saved by the unconvincing Alisson.

And once Thiago Silva extended Brazil's advantage with an unmarked header from a corner, Tite's side regained a measure of composure and went close to a third on numerous occasions.

Serbia may feel aggrieved the second was not ruled out by VAR for a push on Mitrovic by Miranda as the corner came in but they were outplayed overall.

The result ended their hopes of qualifying from the group stage for the first time, while Brazil now head to Samara, where their last-16 tie will take place on Monday, as group winners having topped Group E over Switzerland on goal difference.

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Brazil moving through the gears

Neymar was as influential as ever; taking 119 touches against Serbia - 21 more than any other player

Tite's side were heavily criticised after their laboured display against Switzerland and their unconvincing performance against Costa Rica, which required two injury-time goals to claim a much-needed win for the five-times champions.

In Moscow on Wednesday they were sluggish in parts and had lost control of midfield after the restart to such an extent that Tite brought on Manchester City's Fernandinho for goalscorer Paulinho.

But Brazil have been solid defensively under Tite, conceding just five goals in 21 games going into the tournament, and despite riding their luck a little at 1-0 they undoubtedly deserved their three points.

Neymar and Coutinho both sent team-mates clean through with sumptuous throughballs and the Brazilians created numerous good chances.

Gabriel Jesus and Neymar were both denied by Stojkovic after being played clean through - the Serb keeper making a series of fine saves against the Paris St-Germain forward, with a one-handed stop late on the pick of the bunch.

Jesus, Neymar and Coutinho were a constant menace as Brazil broke with dizzying speed and there were undoubted signs Brazil are starting to move through the gears as the tournament now moves into the knockout phase.

It was a far from a perfect evening for one of the pre-tournament favourites as influential left-back Marcelo limped off early in the opening half.

But Neymar's demeanour after the final whistle - smiling happily and waving to all sections of the crowd - reflected the change of mood within the Brazil camp.

Bullish Serbia no match for Brazil

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored just one goal from 14 shots at the World Cup for Serbia

Serbia were in bullish mood before the game with coach Mladen Krstajic saying "nothing is impossible" and striker Mitrovic asking "why wouldn't we beat Brazil?"

And after a first half when they never really laid a glove on their illustrious opponents, they went all out after the restart.

Mitrovic scored the goals that helped Fulham win promotion to the Premier League last season, but he was found wanting when Serbia - roared on by their passionate support - crafted a series of openings.

Heading the ball straight at Brazil defender Miranda after Alisson had flapped horribly at a cross was probably the moment of the match for Serbia, with the chance coming during a period of sustained second-half pressure.

Mitrovic also saw a header saved by Alisson, but after Brazil scored their second, and with Switzerland leading against Costa Rica in the other Group E tie, it was game over.

Serbia exit the competition as they did in 2010 - at the group stage. But their failure to qualify is probably less about their result against Brazil than what happened in their previous game against Switzerland when they let a 1-0 lead slip to a damaging 2-1 defeat.

'You have to be alive' - what they said

Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic: "You have to be alive for 90 minutes or else you'll be punished. It's difficult to play such an open game against a powerhouse of football like Brazil.

"We need to up our game, elevate the quality to a higher level, improve what is good and eliminate the weaknesses.

"Not just now, but before the World Cup, Brazil were among the favourites to win. Football is like that, Germany are out and Brazil are certainly one of the favourites to win the tournament."

Man of the match - Philippe Coutinho

A superb pass for Paulinho's goal - clever, creative and always busy, the Barcelona forward is a joy to watch

Thirteen qualifications in a row - the key stats

• Brazil have qualified from the group stage of the World Cup for the 13th consecutive tournament, a run stretching back to 1970.

• Serbia have been eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup in all three of their tournaments as an independent nation (2006, 2010 and 2018).

• Brazil have now won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 2010, when they won their opening two group matches.

• Philippe Coutinho has been involved in six goals in seven matches for Brazil in 2018 (four goals, two assists).

• Neymar has now scored five times and assisted twice in eight World Cup appearances for Brazil.

• Only Neymar and Gabriel Jesus (10 goals) have scored more goals for Brazil under current manager Tite than Paulinho (eight goals).

• Aleksandar Mitrovic scored just one goal from 14 shots at the 2018 World Cup for Serbia.

• Brazil have won 19 of their 24 matches under Tite (D4 L1), giving the Brazilian manager a win percentage of 79%.

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Serbia

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Stojkovic

2Rukavina15Milenkovic13Veljkovic11Kolarov

20S Milinkovic-Savic21Matic

10Tadic22Ljajic17Kostic

9Mitrovic

• 1Stojkovic
• 2Rukavina
• 15Milenkovic
• 13Veljkovic
• 11Kolarov
• 20S Milinkovic-Savic
• 21MaticBooked at 48mins
• 10Tadic
• 22LjajicBooked at 33minsSubstituted forZivkovicat 75'minutes
• 17KosticSubstituted forRadonjicat 82'minutes
• 9MitrovicBooked at 70minsSubstituted forJovicat 89'minutes

Substitutes

• 3Tosic
• 4Milivojevic
• 5Spajic
• 6Ivanovic
• 7Zivkovic
• 8Prijovic
• 12Rajkovic
• 14Rodic
• 16Grujic
• 18Radonjic
• 19Jovic
• 23Dmitrovic

Brazil

Formation 4-3-3

1Alisson

22Fagner2Thiago Silva3Miranda12Marcelo

15Paulinho5Casemiro11Coutinho

19Willian9Gabriel Jesus10Neymar

• 1Alisson
• 22Fagner
• 2Thiago Silva
• 3Miranda
• 12MarceloSubstituted forFilipe Luísat 10'minutes
• 15PaulinhoSubstituted forFernandinhoat 66'minutes
• 5Casemiro
• 11CoutinhoSubstituted forRenato Augustoat 80'minutes
• 19Willian
• 9Gabriel Jesus
• 10Neymar

Substitutes

• 4Geromel
• 6Filipe Luís
• 8Renato Augusto
• 13Marquinhos
• 16Cássio
• 17Fernandinho
• 18Fred
• 20Firmino
• 21Taison
• 23Ederson

Referee:

Alireza Faghani

Attendance:

44,190

Match Stats

Home TeamSerbiaAway TeamBrazil

Possession

Home42%

Away58%

Shots

Home10

Away14

Shots on Target

Home2

Away6

Corners

Home5

Away9

Fouls

Home13

Away7

Live Text

1. Post update

   Match ends, Serbia 0, Brazil 2.

2. 90'+4'

   Full Time

   Second Half ends, Serbia 0, Brazil 2.

3. 90'+3'

   Post update

   Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Vladimir Stojkovic.

4. 90'+3'

   Post update

   Attempt saved. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Gabriel Jesus.

5. 90'+2'

   Post update

   Attempt missed. Andrija Zivkovic (Serbia) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Nemanja Radonjic.

6. 89'

   Substitution

   Substitution, Serbia. Luka Jovic replaces Aleksandar Mitrovic.

7. 89'

   Post update

   Attempt blocked. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fernandinho.

8. 87'

   Post update

   Attempt blocked. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Dusan Tadic.

9. 83'

   Post update

   Attempt missed. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

10. 82'

    Substitution

    Substitution, Serbia. Nemanja Radonjic replaces Filip Kostic.

11. 80'

    Substitution

    Substitution, Brazil. Renato Augusto replaces Coutinho.

12. 79'

    Post update

    Attempt missed. Nemanja Matic (Serbia) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Andrija Zivkovic with a cross.

13. 78'

    Post update

    Attempt missed. Casemiro (Brazil) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Fernandinho.

14. 75'

    Substitution

    Substitution, Serbia. Andrija Zivkovic replaces Adem Ljajic.

15. 73'

    Post update

    Attempt blocked. Neymar (Brazil) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Coutinho.

16. 72'

    Post update

    Foul by Casemiro (Brazil).

17. 72'

    Post update

    Filip Kostic (Serbia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

18. 71'

    Post update

    Attempt saved. Filipe Luís (Brazil) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

19. 70'

    Booking

    Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia) is shown the yellow card.

20. 70'

    Post update

    Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Nemanja Matic.

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