Brazil have effectively made their 7-1 drubbing from 2014 a distant memory. It also helped that Germany loss to South Korea directly preceded their fixture against Serbia, giving them plenty of motivation to carry out the deed and seal Group E with a decisive victory. Their 2-0 victory over Serbia gives them top spot in the group at the expense of their Eastern European opponents, allowing Switzerland to capture 2nd place and advance to the Knockout Stage as well.
Brazil got off to a sparkling start after left back Marcelo was replaced by Filipe Luis after suffering a knock on his hind side. The replacement allowed Brazil to seamlessly continue their advantage in possession, with service finding the feet of Neymar on countless occasions, but he was generally marked out of space by close defensive coverage.
In turn it was Paulinho who struck pay dirt first, playing in a cheeky chip shot, after Coutinho had produced a missile-guided through ball from 40 feet with just enough space for the midfielder to elude the goalkeeper and find his target. Aleksandar Kolarov, the hero in Serbia's first game in the tournament from a dead ball position, was at fault for leaving his marker on the decisive play. Sometimes its a game of inches and nothing else.
Brazil will face Mexico in Samara, Russia, on Monday Night. Loser goes home packing.
