Maybe it's not as beautiful as during the Jogo Bonito era, but Brazil's mission to win a sixth World Cup trophy is on the right track.
Twenty years after their last win, Team Samba seems to have what it takes to win again. After France, Brazil became the second team to secure a ticket to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, Monday (28/11) evening WIB, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Switzerland at the 974 Stadium, Doha.
Like against Serbia in the opening party, they were hot late and needed a little time to secure victory. It took a last-gasp strike, and even a deflected shot, from Manchester United midfielder Casemiro to end Murat Yakin's side on a night in which Neymar's absence looked to be catastrophic.
But there are very few teams whose defense is as solid as the Selecao in this World Cup. And after successfully castrating the Swiss threat, it felt like a goal was only a matter of time. The goals came against Serbia, and they came here again in Doha.
Brazil drove. Any team will not be willing to face them in the knockout stages.
Below, GOAL reviews the winners and losers from Brazil vs Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup...
Casemiro:
Turns out he's not just a 'rough worker', huh? There aren't many better midfielders in the tournament than Casemiro, and here, the Manchester United star provided a match-winning moment to accompany his impressive first two outings.
He did need some deflection assistance, as his half volley nudged Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji on his way into the right corner, but Casemiro was a deserved hero for Tite's side, having again put in an impeccable display in midfield.
Casemiro's ability to read play and close space is vital to the way Brazil plays. And if he can contribute too then how blessed the five-time world champion will be.
Tite's squad:
It takes time and it's a bit late, but there is a sense of inevitability of victory for Brazil here, just like against Serbia.
Simply put, their front line is too qualified to fail. Even without the mainstay, the injured Neymar, the range of talents that Tite has in his squad really makes other countries jealous and shudder.
Richarlison trouble? Enter Gabriel Jesus. Raphinha getting sluggish? OK, let's try Antony. When the game gets tough, Tite can call on one of the most on fire midfielders in the Premier League in Bruno Guimaraes, and one of the most talented young footballers in Rodrygo.
All substitutes had a positive impact. One of them, Rodrygo, assisted the winner, when his short cross found Casemiro on the edge of the box, and were it not for Akanji's brilliant block, the Real Madrid wonderkid could have doubled Brazil's lead.
Some people might say that the coach should be able to maximize the explosive power of the Samba Team squad, but right now Brazil is exactly where they want it to be; in the last 16, kept a clean sheet, and know they can beat any team in the World Cup.
Alisson Becker:
Two games, two clean sheets, zero shots faced. Qatar turned out to be just a picnic spot for the goalkeeper. The Liverpool star was a spectator against Serbia and he was almost completely unnecessary in this game as his team-mates again put on a solid defensive display. With Marquinhos and Thiago Silva reunited in the centre-half area, with Casemiro patrolling in front of him and Alex Sandro and Eder Militao guarding the flanks, Brazil looked to be the toughest team in the World Cup. Even if they can still be penetrated, they still have one of (if not) the best goalkeepers in the world. We just haven't gotten the chance to see him in action yet.
Richarlison:
After the party came drought. After blowing up when Brazil beat Serbia in the opening party, all eyes were on Richarlison - especially in the absence of Neymar. They wanted to see if he could continue his impressive start.
The answer? Can not. The Tottenham striker was just a spectator in this match, sluggish for 73 minutes before being replaced by Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus. During those 73 minutes, RIcharlison only touched the ball 17 times and, ridiculously, only made three passes. He almost completed various crossings from his friends Raphinha and Vinicius Junior, but this was not a match that Richarlison will remember with a heavy heart.
Serbia:
Brazil's last minute goal was a source of joy for Cameroon and Serbia, but Serbia will regret their own match played before this one. After leading 3-1 against Cameroon with 27 minutes remaining, Dragan Stojkovic's men had the chance to stay strong to qualify for the last 16, only to squander their advantage.
Now they have to beat Switzerland in the last group stage match and hope that Cameroon will not surprise Brazil, who have already qualified first. Serbia's move was not impossible, but it was complicated by their own negligence.
Danilo:
It's obvious that Brazil miss Neymar on the pitch, but the absence of their other injured star is barely noticeable. Danilo, like the PSG superstar, is certain to miss the rest of the group stages due to an ankle problem, but he may struggle to get back into the team when fit after his replacement, Eder Militao, has been flawless at right-back.
The Real Madrid star usually plays as a centre-back, but his physicality and pace proved to be very useful in this match, even though he 'only' faced a Swiss team who were less ambitious in attack. He's not Dani Alves, if you want to talk about his role in attack, but with Raphinha in front of him (or Antony who replaced the Barcelona striker), he really doesn't need to be Dani Alves. He just had to be solid, and he did the job with impeccable marks.
Rating Brazil: Back Line
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Occasionally looses the ball, but maybe he's just bored.
Eder Militao (7/10):
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Flawless as a makeshift right-back.
Marquinhos (7/10):
Playing in second gear, doing his job without much fuss.
Thiago Silva (7/10):
A 'Rolls Royce' defensive appearance.
Alex Sandro (7/10):
Made a neat sliding tackle early in the second half. Looks comfortable without contributing much to attack.
Rating Brazil: Midfield
Casemiro (8/10):
By far the best midfielder in the 2022 World Cup. Reads the game carefully, recovers the ball and scores the winning goal.
Fred (5/10):
Entered following Neymar's absence. The Manchester United star brings energy but, yeah, that's about it.
Lucas Paqueta (6/10):
Played pretty neatly before being replaced after halftime.
Rating Brazil: Line of Attack
Vinicius Junior (7/10):
His goal was disallowed - despite his good finishing - after being checked by VAR and failing to complete a golden opportunity in the first half. Helped create the winning goal and gave Rodrygo a great chance in stoppage time. Always a thorn in the Swiss defense.
Raphintha (7/10):
Increased compared to vs Serbia. Released a fine pass to give Vinicius Junior a golden opportunity in the first half.
Richarlison (4/10):
No impact at all. Very contrast compared to the first game.
Brazil Rating: Substitute & Manager
Rodrygo (7/10):
Nice short pass to set up the winning goal. His efforts to double the advantage were thwarted in the final minutes.
Bruno Guimaraes (6/10):
Added the ball's path forward after entering.
Gabriel Jesus (5/10):
Didn't do much after replacing Richarlison.
Anthony (6/10):
It 'speeds up' literally as soon as it's entered.
Alex Telles (N/A):
Last minute entry.
Tites (6/10):
Solidly building Brazil's defense, and even though his front-line concoction hasn't yet worked out, he has options to tweak it.