World Cup: Switzerland holds almighty Brazil

Steven Zuber cancelled out a strike from Philippe Coutinho as Switzerland came from behind to draw 1-1 with Brazil in Sunday night’s Group E clash at the 2018 World Cup.
Coutinho’s curling effort had seen tournament favourites Brazil take a 20th-minute lead, but an impressive Switzerland levelled early in the second period, and that was where the scoring ended in Rostov.
Switzerland had the first opportunity of the match inside the first three minutes, but Blerim Dzemaili – who had been found by Xherdan Shaqiri – could only lift the ball over the Brazilian crossbar from close range.
Thiago Silva had the chance to double Brazil’s lead late in the first period when he met a corner from Neymar, but the centre-back’s header missed the crossbar as Coutinho’s strike separated the two teams at the break.
Switzerland were level less than five minutes into the second half, however, when Zuber headed a Shaqiri corner into the back of the net from close range.
Coutinho twice had efforts blocked in the period that followed, while Neymar saw a strike deflected into the side-netting as Brazil looked to hit back before the hour mark in Rostov.
Coutinho sliced one wide of the post 20 minutes from time following excellent work from Neymar once again, before Dzemaili tested the gloves of Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker down the other end of the field.
Neymar then headed into the arms of Sommer in the 88th minute, before the Switzerland goalkeeper denied Firmino moments later. Miranda also came close to snatching it late for the Brazilians, with the centre-back’s volley falling just wide.
Next up for Brazil is a clash with Costa Rica on Friday afternoon, while Switzerland will take on group leaders Serbia.