It might not be pretty, but Brazil’s quest for a sixth World Cup is most definitely on track. Twenty years on from their last triumph, Tite’s men look like they have the tools to go all the way once more. They became the second side, after France, to book their place in the last 16 on Monday, securing qualification courtesy of a 1-0 win over Switzerland at Doha’s Stadium 974.
Just as against Serbia in their opening group match, they needed to be patient to secure the victory. It took a late strike, and a deflected one at that, from Manchester United’s Casemiro to deliver it, on a night when the absence of Neymar looked like it might cost them dear.
But few sides at this tournament look as solid defensively as the Selecao, and having effectively nullified any semblance of Swiss threat, it always felt like a goal would come. It did against Serbia, and it did again here.
Brazil march on. Few teams will want to face them in the knockout stages.
Here, GOAL runs through the winners and losers in Doha…