Brazil's 2-0 victory over Costa Rica was anything but simple on Friday. Los Ticos made the five-time champions toil for those two stoppage time goals.
Like many occasions, the game was all about Neymar. His tricks, his selfishness, his dives, his dribbles, his goal, his attempts and his tears... The 26-year-old just cannot be ignored.
More than scoring his first goal, Neymar had an ugly game. Just like in Brazil's first game against Switzerland, Neymar could be found on the floor more often than not. Sure, he is the most marked player, and unlike Messi's case with Argentina, the ball actually reaches Neymar and he gets to dribble his way to the goal.
But Neymar chose to make blatant dives on several occasions and fight with both the referee and his opponents. Neymar was dispossessed nine times, while the rest of his team put together were dispossessed only 10 times.
At full time, Neymar was in tears. It was a cry of relief, just like Javier Hernandez cried after beating Germany. Neymar has had a rough few months because of injury and the pressure on him is immense. If this is a sign of better things to come from Neymar, then it is good that he vented out after the game.
What Neymar lacks, unlike teammates like Coutinho and Willian, is maturity. He walks around with his head down when things don't go his way.
Coutinho, on the other hand, was a source of efficient creativity for the team. Along with Paulinho and Marcelo, he started attacks with authority and precision and created space and chances for the three attackers in front.
Brazil had 72 per cent possession and 22 shots compared with Costa Rica's three. Seven of Brazil's shots were saved by Keylor Navas, who had a busy day but not one of his best days. Brazil were clearly dominant, but the Costa Rican defenders didn't let them through easily.
The Costa Rican defenders constantly fouled the Brazilians and put on a strong defensive performance. The Costa Ricans were lucky to have not conceded earlier, while their attack barely troubled Brazil's keeper Alisson Becker.
Had it not been for the two goals, controversy would have engulfed the game. Both sets of fans at the St Petersburg stadium were enraged with the refereeing, more so for the Brazil fans who were the clear majority at the ground.
Also Read
- Neymar wants Italy transfer? Napoli, Inter Milan preferred destinations as Brazil star wants Europe return: Report
- World Cup qualifiers: THIS teenager will replace injured Neymar in Brazil-Argentina clash
- Brazil vs Argentina: All Selecao attackers named in squad alongside midfielder Neymar | Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and others!
VAR denied Neymar a penalty, while plenty of fouls on him and his teammates didn't go down well with the spectators. The Brazil fans booed the referee until the goal, after which everything was forgotten.
After the goal, the rowdy Brazil fans attacked the Costa Rican fans, by throwing their plastic beer cups at them. A section of the media delegation was sitting just ahead of the fans and the attack even left some of us drenched in beer!
At the end of the day, referee Bjorn Kuipers survived an ill-tempered game. Kuipers should be grateful for the goals; otherwise, there would have been calls for his head.