Yellow Canaries outclass Serbia 2-0 and set Round of 16 date with Mexico
Brazil finally seem to have found their touch in the World Cup in Russia after they defeated a battling Serbia 2-0 in their last Group E match.
The win, thanks to goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva, helped them qualify for the Round of 16, where they will meet Mexico.
Brazil’s win, combined with Switzerland’s 2-2 draw with Costa Rica, meant Brazil finished top of Group E on seven points, two ahead of the Swiss, who will face Sweden in the last 16. Serbia ended in third place on three points and are eliminated along with Costa Rica.
With defending champions Germany knocked out and Argentina scraping through at the death, five-times champions Brazil were desperate to stamp their authority on a tournament where World Cup pedigree has counted for so little.
But, having needed two goals in stoppage-time to beat Costa Rica in their last game and having been held 1-1 by Switzerland in their opener, they took a long time to make any impression on a well-drilled and rugged Serbian defence.
However, after 36 minutes a superb lofted pass from just inside his own half by the outstanding Philippe Coutinho sent Paulinho clear and he stretched high to toe the ball over goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and ease the pressure.
Neymar was again well shackled and was unable to impose himself. However, while their superstar front men were making little headway at the other end, Brazil's often-overlooked defence again showed their mettle as Serbia threw more men forward.
Brazil knocked the ball around with all the deft skill and control that the neutrals at Spartak Stadium had come to see but even then Neymar couldn’t get the goal he so desperately wanted, firing a bouncing shot over the bar and having a final effort palmed clear by Stojkovic.
