Soccer #worldcup2018: Brazil vs Costa Rica

It wasn’t exactly Brazilliant, but the mission was ultimately successfully completed.

After the 90 minutes of regulation time, the score line read: Brazil 0 – Costa Rica 0.

But seven minutes later the story had transformed to Brazil 2 – Costa Rica 0.

It was a strange outcome. Brazil had clearly been the superior side throughout the first half, enjoying 70 percent of the possession, but Los Ticos had been as stubborn as mules in protecting their turf.

Added to that, Brazil failed to even hit the target on more than 20 occasions – the biggest culprit being Neymar, who enjoyed a surfeit of ball on the left flank.

But he seemed more intent on winning free kicks by fair means or foul, and alternated between sending over decent and dismal crosses.

Chelsea’s Willian on his opposite wing hardly got a look in, while Philippe Coutinho of Barcelona looked most likely to make inroads for Brazil, who upped the tempo in the second half but without looking convincingly like scoring.

Striding out with purpose, they forced Costa Rica to load the defence, and for long periods there was not one single player in Brazil’s half of the field.

Conversely, Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas was kept busy all day and the Real Madrid stopper was forced into plenty of saves.

The irritating Neymar – a mixture of awesome talent and nauseating petulance – was awarded a penalty in the 77th minute as he zoomed in on goal and was ‘pulled back’ by the defender.

The ref awarded the spot kick but VAR disagreed and overruledhim.

Serves Neymar right for the amateur dramatics. Had he looked for a goal rather than a penalty, he probably would have scored.

He did eventually tuck one away in the 97th minute after the rock solid Coutinho had given Brazil the goal they needed and deserved in the 91st minute.

Brazil are not yet guaranteed a last 16 spot after their earlier 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but for Costa Rica it’s bye-bye time.