Casemiro strikes late as Brazil secure knockout berth with tight win over Switzerland

Full Time: Brazil 1 Switzerland 0

18:56 CET: A game that won't live long in the memory of many fans, but Brazilians won't care as they sealed their round of 16 spot thanks to Casemiro. They were marginally the better side throughout the game, but they will be worried by their forward line, which struggled to fire all night. Givent the absence of Neymar, none of them were able to step up and be the main man.

Read the full report from the game, written by Alex Waite, for all the details.

For the Swiss, they put up a good fight and defended valiantly throughout, Manuel Akanji particularly impressive, but they created no chances in the game and that was their downfall.

Round up the game with our match stats as we get ready for the final game of the second matchday between Portugal and Uruguay.

Second Half

94': Akanji again to the rescue, this time denying Rodrygo with a superbly timed block. It looks unlikely that Switzerland will be leaving happy tonight.

93': For the first time all game, Switzerland have some sustained possession as Brazil defend their one-goal lead. So far though they can't break through and the counter is on, but Vinicius is eased off the ball by Akanji.

90': Six minutes added on for Switzerland to find a leveller or for Brazil to confirm their place in the round of 16.

88': Yann Sommer doesn't want to be beaten again and saves a fierce shot from Rodrygo. The corner comes to nothing and Switzerland try a long ball forward to substitute Seferovic, however he can't win it. Switzerland have looked bery unlikely to score all game, and that hasn't change since going a goal down.

86': Four minutes to go and two substitutes, one for either side. Alex Telles replaces Alex Sandro and Fabian Brei is on for Silvan Wildmer.

83': GOAL FOR BRAZIL, CASEMIRO WITH A LOVELY FINISH!

They've tried seven different forwards tonight but Brazil's opener comes from their one and only true defensive midfielder. He ghosts into the box and on the turn swipes a right footed effort into the back of the net. A goal that could send Brazil into the knockout rounds.

80': Free kick for Brazil and it's very poor with Yann Sommer able to collect comfortably. Other than the disallowed goal, Brazil have rarely threatened in this second half.

75': And now a double change for the Swiss. Djibril Sow and Breel Embolo depart for Haris Seferovic and Michel Aebischer. 

72': Brazil seem to have woken up since the goal and they look to be going all out for the win, with two more attacking changes. Richarlison, quiet tonight, is replaced by Gabriel Jesus and Antony comes on for Raphinha.

69': After further replays, it shows that Richarlison was the culprit for the offside, as he challenged for the ball in the build-up having come back from an offside position. 

67': Well then, we are back to 0-0. Vinicius Jr, who tucked home a nice finish is adjudged to be offside. It's tricky to know why as from the initial replay, he looked onside. However, the goal has been disallowed and we still sit at 0-0.

64': OUT OF NOWHERE, BRAZIL LEAD! VAR CHECK...

61': He's only been on the pitch two minutes, but Fernandes is adding some life to Switzerland. He has two shots blocked in quick succession and he looks spritely in midfield.

59': Changes for both sides. Bruno Guimares is on for Fred in the Brazil midfield and for the Swiss, Edimilson Fernandes and Renato Steffen come on for Ruben Vargas and Fabian Reider.

57': Breel Embolo, anonymous in this game, almost charges down an Alisson clearance, before Brazil break down the left and Richarlison is centrimetres to scoring from a Vinicius cross.

55': Switzerland's first effort on goal comes seven minutes after the break and another follows soon after from Ruben Vargas, which forces a corner. Alisson comes out to claim that set play.

52': Seconds later, Fred is cautioned for a late trip.

51': Our first yellow card of the game goes to Fabian Reider for a flailing arm on Vinicius Jr. Deserved.

47': A change at the break for Brazil as Rodrygo replaces Lucas Pacqueta.

46': Back under way at 974 Stadium, Brazil kick us off. Let's hope for a bit more action in the second half.

Half Time

17:46 CET: Who would have thought that Brazil would play some of the least entertaining football of the day? It's been a tough watch with Vinicius Jr going closest for the team in yellow as his volley was saved well by Yann Sommer. At the other end Alisson has been a spectator with Switzerland yet to register a shot in this game.

We hope for better in the second half - in the meantime, check out the match stats.

First Half

45': A quick light malfunction is over as Raphinha delivers a dangerous corner that Switzerland manage to get away. Those floodlights going off was the most exciting part of this first half.

40': Switzerland nearly have their first shot of the game as they break into the box. Vargas turns well but he's muscled off of it. Their best 'chance' of the first half.

38': Eder Militao has a long-range effort blocked to force a corner to Brazil. Raphinha sends in a short one that eventually ends in Yann Sommer's gloves.

32': Raphinha cuts in off his right wing and tries his luck from range - a pure enough strike but it isn't troubling Sommer as he grabs it out of the air.

28': First big chance of the game falls to Vinicius and he should score. A lovely cross finds him free at the back post, but Yann Sommer is equal to it and parries it away. That was our first goal attempt of the contest.

21': Ruben Vargas does well to get in behind Brazil's backline, and manages to deliver a cross low and into the perfect area. However, there is no one up in attack with him and Alisson can easily claim it.

19': Lucas Pacqueta delivers a dangerous cross into Richarlison, but his strike partner can't quite reach it and Switzerland sweep up well.

15': Switzerland with a free-kick around 30 metres from goal. It's played short for a cross and Brazil deal with it easily.

11': A very slow start to this game. Given that both sides can almost qualify with a draw tonight, it's not overly surprising. Richarlison takes a bit of a hit and goes down, but he is soon up on his feet. Nothing for either goalkeeper to do in the opening minutes.

6': An early corner for Switzerland but Brazil deal with it and are soon back on the ball.

3': An early free kick for Brazil just manages to miss everyone and go out for a Swiss throw. It will be interesting to see whether Brazil play in a similar fashion to their second half against Serbia, where they were free flowing.

1': Brazil's national anthem is always a spine-tingling moment at a World Cup and tonight's rendition was no different. Let's get going!

Pre-match

16:53 CET: What a day of football we have so far! Now, we have the joy of seeing a Brazil side who are attacking with style. Both teams are about ready at the 974 Stadium in what is likely to be a full house. Just minutes away from kick-off.

Team News

Fred and Eder Militao replaced the injured Neymar and Danilo in the Brazil team for their World Cup Group G match against Switzerland on Monday.

Neymar and Danilo have been ruled out of the group stage by ankle injuries suffered in the team's opening 2-0 win over Serbia.

Brazil coach Tite went for power over finesse, choosing to pair Fred with his Manchester United team mate Casemiro to strengthen midfield, pushing Paqueta forward into a playmaking role, instead of bringing Rodrygo in up-front alongside Vinicius, Richarlison and Raphinha.

Real Madrid's versatile central defender Militao will replace Danilo at right back.

Swiss coach Murat Yasin made one change to the team that started the 1-0 win over Cameroon with Fabian Rieder replacing Xherdan Shaqiri.

Brazil: Alisson; Eder Militao, Thiago Silva (c), Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Lucas Paqueta; Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison.

Switzerland: Yann Sommer, Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Breel Embolo, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez, Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder.

Introduction

Eleven goals in the first two games of this manic Monday have set the tone for a crazy day at the World Cup. Switzerland will hope for more drama in their game against Brazil, who will be without their star man Neymar for this clash and potentially until the knockout stages.

However, Brazil are not short on attacking talent and Richarlison will lead the line again after scoring both goals in their opening 2-0 victory against Serbia.

For Switzerland any result today would almost guarantee their spot in the next round of the tournament given earlier results and they will look to play conservatively against one of the most explosive teams in the tournament so far.

Our live audio commentary begins at 16:55 CET, something that will make sure you don't miss a moment from this Group G clash.