Brazil lifted itself from what could have been another draw as it beats Costa Rica 2-0 on Friday in Russia.
Phillippe Coutinho and Neymar da Silva Santos Junior provided the dramatic twists to Brazil's victory as both players scored in injury time to give their country its first victory in this year's tournament. With the victory, the Brazilians have now accumulated four points in its last two games. Earlier in the tournament, Brazil drew its first match against Switzerland 1-1
Thrilling Finish But Neymar Receives Backlash
After a scoreless first half, the Brazilians were determined to finally broke into the win column as Neymar Jr. tried to sell a foul by Costa Rican defender Giancarlo Gonzalez near the penalty area in the 77th minute. Neymar Jr. also sold the foul when referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed straight to the spot to award Brazil penalty. However, Kuipers reversed his call after further review.
Nonetheless, it proved to be the opening the Brazilians needed as Coutinho found the back of the net in the 91st minute off a pass from Gabriel de Jesus to put Brazil up 1-0. It was also Coutinho's second goal in this year's competition. Neymar Jr. sealed the deal six minutes later to eliminate the Costa Ricans from the tournament.
Regardless of the victory, Neymar received massive backlash from football fans online with his unprecedented move in the 77th minute. Renowned BBC pundit Chris Sutton also fired some shots against Neymar describing him as someone who is trying to take advantage of diving in football. Former Socceroo star John Kosmina described Neymar Jr.'s move as a disgrace.
However, the Brazilian forward was quick to respond online citing that making it through the World Cup is a tough thing to do let alone winning a single game. The Brazilians are hoping to erase the nightmare four years ago when it suffered an agonizing 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany.
"Not everyone knows what I went through to get here. The crying is of joy, of overcoming, and a will to win. Even parrots can talk, but walking the walk not everyone does it. I cried out of happiness, overcoming, grit and desire to win " Neymar Jr. said.
Brazil now leads Group E with four points with Switzerland, Serbia, and Costa Rica following in second, third, and fourth respectively. With the victory, Brazil has also prevented of tying its longest winless run at the World Cup. Brazil will take on Serbia on Wednesday.
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