Brazil made short work of Serbia and eliminated Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s side, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Mexico.
The Selecao had been far from convincing, but went into this game knowing they needed just a point to be sure of qualification. Juventus winger Douglas Costa was out injured and Inter defender Joao Miranda wore the captain’s armband against a Serbia side packed with Serie A faces.
There was immediately a huge blow for Brazil, as Marcelo limped off practically in tears after a spasm in his back, replaced by Filipe Luis.
Brazil made short work of Serbia and eliminated Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s side, setting up a Round of 16 clash with Mexico.
The Selecao had been far from convincing, but went into this game knowing they needed just a point to be sure of qualification. Juventus winger Douglas Costa was out injured and Inter defender Joao Miranda wore the captain’s armband against a Serbia side packed with Serie A faces.
There was immediately a huge blow for Brazil, as Marcelo limped off practically in tears after a spasm in his back, replaced by Filipe Luis.
Philippe Coutinho dinked a wonderful pass over the defence, which Paulinho prodded past the on-rushing goalkeeper at full stretch to give Brazil the lead.
Adem Ljajic of Torino and Dusan Tadic combined on the counter, but the pass back was too weak, then Miranda made a desperate clearance on Ljajic’s cross-shot and Vlad Stojkovic used his legs to deny Neymar’s angled drive on the counter.
There was a double chance for Serbia, as Alisson punched an Antonio Rukavina cross into the path of Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose header was charged down by Thiago Silva from point-blank range.
It sparked a sudden rush of pressure on the Selecao, with desperate defending and a towering Mitrovic header smothered by Alisson.
Just as they were under pressure, Brazil doubled their lead with ex-Milan defender Thiago Silva’s header at the near post from a Neymar corner.
At that point, Serbia visibly gave up and it became a relaxed affair for Tite’s side, preparing for their Round of 16 tie against Mexico.
Serbia 0-2 Brazil
Paulinho 36 (B), Thiago Silva 68 (B)
Serbia: Stojkovic; Rukavina, Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Kolarov; Matic, Milinkovic-Savic; Tadic, Ljajic (Zivkovic 75), Kostic (Rajdonjic 82); Mitrovic (Jovic 89)
Brazil: Alisson Becker; Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo (Filipe Luis 10); Paulinho (Fernandinho 66), Casemiro; Willian, Coutinho (Renato Augusto 80), Neymar; Gabriel Jesus
Ref: Faghani (IRN)