FIFA World Cup 2018: Thiago, Paulinho steer Brazil into last 16

Brazil's forward Neymar blows a kiss at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Brazil at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. Pic/AFP

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic was the next Serbian midfielder to be booked when he fouled Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus on 48 minutes. Serbia's brightest spell came with half an hour left, only to be let down by poor finishing. Ljajic stumbled to take a return pass after a charging run into Brazil's box and then fired over shortly after. Then with his defence beaten, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson palmed a save straight at Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Serbia forward could only head the ball back into the grateful arms of the Brazilian shotstopper.

To cap Serbia's frustrations, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fired wide, then Mitrovic guided a powerful header straight at Alisson from a corner. However, Brazil made sure of the win when Neymar swung in a free-kick and his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Thiago crashed home his header, unmarked at the near post, on 68 minutes. With one eye on the last 16, Tite took off Countinho with ten minutes left while Neymar twice went close to scoring the Selecao's third late on, but the Brazil coach can be happy with his star forward.

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