Brazil vs Switzerland: Coutinho's stunner not enough for Tite's men to avoid Group E stalemate in Rostov

Serbia remain top of Group E after tournament favourites are held by disciplined Swiss

Steven Zuber's equaliser cancelled out Coutinho's spectacular opener as a disciplined and spirited Switzerland snatched a 1-1 draw against Brazil in Rostov.

Tite's men started brightly but slowly lost their momentum in the face of a massed Swiss defence, with Neymar particularly below-par, and could not find a breakthrough despite Miranda going close late on.

Here are five things we learned from the match:

Rhythm, not fitness, is Neymar’s issue

(AFP/Getty Images)

Questions about Neymar’s physical readiness to play in this World Cup were answered emphatically by spectacular goals in Brazil’s pre-tournament friendlies against Croatia and Austria. He took all the time he needed after fracturing his metatarsal in February, much to the chagrin of Paris Saint-Germain, and nothing about his movements now suggest he is at all inhibited.

Switzerland certainly put his pain threshold to the test, taking turns to buffet and foul him every time he embarked on a mazy dribble. Neymar stood up to the challenge, but the fact that so many of his contributions led down blind alleys underlined what the true purpose of Brazil’s group stage is for their best player.

World Cup matches are not played at friendly intensity, and Neymar isn’t quite capable of clicking into his top gear just yet. Tite’s plan, and Brazil’s hope, is that the minutes he plays before the round of 16 will make sure he can get there when it matters.

Switzerland are admirably boring

(Getty Images)

Switzerland are a very difficult team to look good against, even if you happen to be Brazil. Vladimir Petkovic was happy for his players to camp in their own half, see what Xherdan Shaqiri could create on his own in transition and try to maximise attacking set-pieces – the Stoke City of international football, if you will.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was undeniably effective. By the time Zuber was left all alone in the six-yard box to cancel out Coutinho’s spectacular opener Brazil’s momentum had dissipated and the tempo of the match had slowed to a crawl. In a World Cup group stage marked by its attacking intent so far, Switzerland remain stubbornly devoted to the war of attrition.

Coutinho in midfield can unlock Brazil’s full potential

(EPA (EPA)

No player has made more Brazil appearances under Tite than Coutinho but, for the duration of South American qualifying, the Barcelona playmaker was deployed on the right of a front three. It wasn’t until their final World Cup warm-up friendly against Austria that he started in midfield, supplying Willian alongside Neymar and Gabriel Jesus in the front line.

That game ended 3-0. This performance was less emphatic, but the logic of Coutinho starting in midfield remains sound. It gives Brazil even more ways to pick apart opponents who defend deep with dazzling passing combinations and skilful dribbles. Or, failing that, he can just smash the ball in off the post from distance.

Tite’s new attacking foursome has prompted comparison with the 2002 ‘magic quartet’ of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Juninho. Switzerland highlighted that they have some way to go to reach such lofty heights but if they do, every other country with ambitions of winning this World Cup should be very afraid.

Defence will win or lose Brazil this World Cup

Steven Zuber (Getty)

The relentless focus on Brazil’s star-studded attack masks Tite’s most impressive achievement since taking over as coach in 2016: Balancing individual talent at one end with collective solidity at the other. In the first half in Rostov their dominance was total, in large part because Casemiro denied Switzerland any opportunity to counter-attack effectively.

Once the Real Madrid destroyer was booked and substituted, the dynamic of the game changed, spaces opened up and Shaqiri became more of a factor. Tite will be livid, though, at the space Zuber was given to head in the equaliser unchallenged. Brazil cannot afford such lapses in concentration if they are to avenge their 2014 humiliation and lift the trophy in Moscow next month.

Champions are not crowned in round one

Spain legend Iker Casillas and model Natalia Vodianova show the World Cup trophy prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The opening results of the serious World Cup contenders have varied, but none of their performances have left us any the wiser as to how this tournament will go.

Should we really be surprised? Winning a World Cup isn’t quite a marathon but it certainly isn’t a sprint, and the modern record of teams who start the group stage like a train is not good. Spain in 2010 are probably the only recent example of a team who looked impressive throughout and even they lost their opening match – to Switzerland, no less.

Most champions do not hit their stride until the knockout football begins, so it’s probably wise to avoid drawing too many conclusions about Spain, Germany, Brazil or anyone else. In the meantime, just sit back and enjoy a group stage that gets more interesting with every slip-up.