Neymar described Casemiro as the "best defensive midfielder in the world" as the Brazil superstar watched his team book their place in the World Cup last 16 from his hotel room.
Brazil defeated Switzerland 1-0 at Stadium 974 on Monday for their second straight win in Qatar to join France, and later Portugal, in the knockout stages.
For a team spoilt with attacking talent, it was an unlikely matchwinner who proved decisive as Casemiro smashed home a fine finish in the 83rd minute.
Neymar was the notable absence from the Brazil team after the Paris Saint-Germain forward injured his ankle during the opening 2-0 win over Serbia which ruled him out for the rest of the group stage.
He was the only player who did not go to Stadium 974 for the team’s second match in Qatar. Danilo, who also missed the game because of an ankle injury, accompanied the rest of the squad to the stadium.
Forward Vinicius Junior said Neymar also had a fever on Monday, though the team had not officially said anything about it.
“He was sad he couldn’t come to the game,” Vinicius said. “He wasn’t feeling well. Not only because of the foot, but also because he had a little bit of a fever. We are hoping that he can recover as soon as possible.”
Neymar posted an Instagram story showing him watching the match on television while undergoing treatment on his foot.
“Casemiro has been the best defensive midfielder in the world for a long time,” Neymar wrote on Twitter.
Brazil v Switzerland player ratings
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Alisson Becker 6: Second consecutive clean sheet as Brazil made their best start to a World Cup for 20 years. He hasn’t faced a single shot on target in both games. Brazil are going big on defence. And wins. AP -
Militao 6: Usually a centre-half, he moved to right-back as Danilo is injured. Wasn’t as advanced as Brazilian full-backs of yore. There’s a pragmatism to this Brazil side. EPA -
Marquinhos 7: The only player on the pitch who had more than 100 touches. Untroubled in the air, even had a shot himself. Always in control. AP -
Thiago Silva 7: Blocked a 52nd minute Switzerland attack after Brazil were caught out. Moved up and down the pitch with ease. Defies his age by performing at the highest level for 98 minutes. AFP -
Alex Sandro 7: Effective on the left as Brazil weren’t at their best, but they won again and were always in control. AFP -
Casemiro 8: Fast one touch passing regularly split the Swiss. Blocked Swiss efforts, thought he’d set up Vinicius for the opening goal. Then he finally put his side ahead with the game’s only goal, a slightly deflected wonder strike. AFP -
Fred 7: Effective alongside his Manchester United teammate Casemiro. Brazil were more workmanlike with two midfielders and Neymar absent, though Fred plays in a more advanced role for club compared to country. Booked for a foul after he miscontrolled the ball. AFP -
Lucas Paqueta 6: Victim of his side going too narrow in the first half. Brazil were much better when they used width in the second. Getty -
Vinicius Junior 8: Denied by the goalkeeper after sneaking behind his marker to sweep the ball at goal just before half-hour mark – Brazil’s first effort on goal. Thought he’d put his side ahead in second half but was caught offside - which had been problem in opening 45. Some super balls in during the second. And thought his 93rd minute shot was going in until blocked. AP -
Raphinha 6: Ran inside from the left and took a shot on target in first half but was straight at keeper, but his side didn’t attack much in opening 45 minutes. AFP -
Richarlison 6: The main man up front, but isolated with little service in first half. Just missed a beautiful 56th minute ball in from Vinicius. Man of the night against Serbia, but not the Swiss. Getty -
SUBS: Rodrygo (On for Paqueta 46’) 7: Had a late shot saved as Brazil tried to finish the game with a flourish. PA -
Bruno Guimaraes (On for Fred 58’) 7: Helped Brazil continue increasing the pace against an obdurate Switzerland side – but that coincided with Switzerland’s best spell. Getty -
Gabriel Jesus (On for Richarlison 74’) 7: Brought on as Brazil pushed for a winner, even though a draw would have been enough to send them through. PA -
Antony (On for Raphinha 74’) 7: Fast, brought down and asked for a card. Not a good look. Tricks and flicks. PA -
Alex Telles (On for Sandro 86’) N/A. Getty -
SWITZERLAND RATINGS Yann Sommer 7: Called into serious action for first time just before half-hour mark when he palmed Vinicius Junior’s scuffed volley wide for corner. No chance with Casemiro’s thumping finish that also took slight deflection. Tipped over Rodrydo shot minutes after goal. Reuters -
Silvan Widmer 7: Caught napping on cross in first half which allowed Vincius Junior free shot at goal but Brazilian failed to connect properly allowing keeper to save. One beautiful first touch followed by low cross into box that Brazil scrambled away after break. AFP -
Nico Elvedi 8: Almost paid price for being on wrong wide of Richarlison after 20 minutes but Spurs attacker failed to get touch on cross. Vincius Junior skipped over his sliding challenge ahead of goal that was disallowed for offside. Despite these minor aberrations, was part of a well drilled Swiss defensive performance. Getty -
Manuel Akanji 8: Has hit ground running in England since moving to Man City and defender was impressive again here. Timed his challenges well, knocked some lovely cross-field passes out from back and was unlucky when Casemiro’s winner clipped his backside on its way into net. Brilliant block late on to deny Rodrygo. AP -
Ricardo Rodriguez 7: Right back should be pleased with his performance up against the dangerous Raphinha who failed to make any impression on game and was taken off in second half. AFP -
Remo Freuler 7: Part of a rock-solid midfield axis with Xhaka who helped make life very difficult for the Brazilians in centre of park. AP -
Granit Xhaka 7: Swiss captain, enjoying a fine season for club side Arsenal, had to play a far more defensive role than with the Gunners but barely put a foot wrong. No sign of his infamous short fuse either. EPA -
Djibril Sow 6: Had shot on edge of box blocked by Vinicius Junior as Swiss finally exerted a bit of attacking pressure on Brazil early in second half. Like his teammates, spent match chasing and harrying Brazil rather than launching any attacks. Reuters -
Fabian Rieder 6: Helped keep pressure on Brazil when South Americans in possession but little influence attacking wise. Earned first booking of match for blocking Rodrygo early in second half. AP -
Ruben Vargas 7: Decent cut-back from right side of penalty area after 21 minutes when Embolo should have been further forward to take advantage in rare Swiss first-half attack. One of few who looked like could make attacking impact so was slight surprise that he was hooked before hour mark. Getty -
Breel Embolo 5: Forward, who scored the winner against Cameroon last time out, never got sniff of goal although feeding on meagerest of scraps in terms of service. Blocked an Alisson clearance in second half but Swiss couldn’t capitalise. AP -
Breel Embolo 5: Forward, who scored the winner against Cameroon last time out, never got sniff of goal although feeding on smallest of scraps in terms of service. Blocked an Alisson clearance in second half but Swiss couldn’t capitalise. -
SUBS: Edimilson Fernandes (On for Vargas 59’) 5: Mainz player couldn’t inspire any great attacking impetus for the Swiss. AP -
Renato Steffen (On for Rieder 59’) 5: No impact from winger against a tough and experienced Brazil defence. AFP -
Haris Seferovic (On for Sow 76) N/A. Reuters -
Michel Aebischer (On for Embolo 76’) N/A. AFP Alexander Frei (On for Widmer 86’) N/A.
Brazil coach Tite used midfielder Fred as Neymar’s replacement against Switzerland, while Eder Militao came in for Danilo in the right-back position.
The right ankle also kept Neymar from playing in the 2019 Copa América in Brazil. Five years earlier, he was taken out of the World Cup in Brazil after hurting his back in the quarter-finals against Colombia.
Neymar, trying to win his first major title with Brazil, is making his third World Cup appearance. He is two goals shy of Pelé’s all-time record of 77 with the national team.
Brazil’s last group match is against Cameroon on Friday.
