Brazil looked all set to party at one stage but ended up trapped in Switzerland’s intricate defensive web, with a 1-1 draw a fair result as the two sides made their Group E debuts at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.
Having dominated possession but without creating clear-cut chances, the tournament favourites took the lead after 20 minutes thanks to the kind of strike Philippe Coutinho has become known for: a spectacular curling drive from outside the box that curled right into the far corner of Yann Sommer’s net.
It looked as if the Rostov night would have a samba beat, but the Swiss had other ideas. Maintaining their intensity, they conjured up an equaliser just after the restart, with Steven Zuber nodding home from inside the six-yard box. The five-time world champions promptly lost their poise, and though they created some late chances, both their finishing and their play was slightly off key.
