Brazil leave it late to beat Costa Rica

Coutinho started the move as he picked out Marcelo on the left hand side. The Real Madrid full-back’s cross was headed down by Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus failed to control the knockdown, but Coutinho charged in to fire home from close range, as the Selecao avoided an embarrassing draw.

Neymar then added a second with virtually the last kick of the match after being picked out by Douglas Costa, as Costa Rica committed men forward, but the result flattered Tite’s men.

The defeat was cruel on Costa Rica and particularly so on keeper Keylor Navas, who produced some exceptional saves to keep his side level.

The South American giants dominated possession in the opening exchanges but failed to register a real attack of note before the interval, as they struggled to break down a well-organised Costa Rican backline.

Tite opted for a change at the break – Willian was replaced by Costa – and Brazil’s attacking play did improve, but they found Navas in inspired form.

The Real Madrid stopper produced a finger-tip save to push Neymar’s firs- time effort over the bar, while the Paris Saint-Germain forward was also denied by a combination of a Cristian Gamboa block and then Navas after the ball dropped into his hands.

There was a moment of controversy as VAR overruled a penalty decision with 13 minutes of normal time remaining. Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers initially awarded a spot-kick to Brazil after Neymar went down under a challenge from Giancarlo Gonzalez.

The defender did have an arm on Neymar but the contact was minimal. The forward’s late, theatrical fall may have convinced Kuipers in real time but, after reviewing the video evidence, the official made the brave call to overrule the decision.

Brazil continued to push for a winner although Costa Rica held firm until Coutinho broke the deadlock in injury time before Neymar hit his first of the tournament.

Brazil now look well placed to qualify, with four points from their two games, while Costa Rica have been eliminated regardless of the result in the late kick-off between Serbia and Switzerland in the other Group E match today.