2022 World Cup: Casemiro's 'stiletto' volley fires Seleção into last 16

Brazil moved smoothly into the round of 16 of the World Cup with a hard-fought lone goal win over Switzerland courtesy of Casemiro's 83rd minute goal on Monday night.

The Manchester United midfielder nicked in a superb screamer with just seven minutes to end proceedings, as he rounded off a fine flick from Vinicius whose volley took a deflection off Akanji inside the box and went past Yann Sommer into the far corner of the net.


Switzerland had just one shot before half-time, their joint-lowest amount in the first half of a World Cup match since 1966, also only one in 2010 in their win against Spain.

Both side's dominated proceedings earlier on - with Brazil soaking up the pressure, but soon upped their game when Raphinha sent in a dangerous cross from the right wing which went straight to the feet of Vinicius, however the marksman's effort was grabbed by Yann Sommer.


The Seleção kept the pace to turn up the heat on their opponents after half-time, with their passing in certain positions threatening enough which caused much problem for the Swiss defence.

Just past the hour, Rodrygo sent a good pass to Vinicius down the left to go past Nico Elvedi's challenge and roll the ball past Sommer. A VAR check found Richarlison to be offside earlier in the same phase of play, however, and the effort was slashed off.

Casemiro grabbed the winner in the 83rd minute as Vinicius and Rodrygo connected on a pass to Casemiro who sent in a volley to score the only goal of the match.


Switzerland's 20-year-old, 285 days Fabian Rieder is the second youngest player to start a World Cup match for the Red Crosses in the last 50 years, behind Johan Djourou in 2006 against Ukraine who was then 19-years, 159 days.


By: Pascal Nii Gogo Amoah