Sports
11:59, 18-Jun-2018
Brazil held to 1-1 draw by Switzerland in 2018 Russia World Cup opener
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Brazil and Switzerland came to a 1-1 draw in their first Group E game at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
The five-time world champions took a deserved lead midway through the first half when Coutinho's irresistible long-distance shot cannoned in off the far post, but Tite's side, who had looked so impressive in the tournament build-up, did not build on their advantage.
Switzerland's Steven Zuber reacts as he scores a goal in a Group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at FIFA World Cup in Russia. /VCG Photo
Switzerland's Steven Zuber reacts as he scores a goal in a Group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at FIFA World Cup in Russia. /VCG Photo
The highly organized Swiss hit back early in the second half from one of their few chances as Brazil's Casemiro and Miranda switched off and the unmarked Steven Zuber barely had to leave his feet to nod in Xherdan Shaqiri's whipped corner.
Neymar of Brazil gestures during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group E match between Brazil and Switzerland. /VCG Photo
Neymar of Brazil gestures during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group E match between Brazil and Switzerland. /VCG Photo
Neymar's flamboyant blond "spaghetti" haircut certainly caught the eye, but he was fouled many times by the opponents and failed to score.
It was the first time Brazil had not won a World Cup opener since drawing 1-1 with Sweden in the 1978 tournament. The result left Serbia atop the group, as they beat Costa Rica 1-0 earlier in the day.