Smart Swiss Bank a Precious Point from Brazil

So much for a triumphant return to football's biggest stage.

World Cup favorite Brazil were making their first meaningful global appearance since their devastating 1-7 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the last World Cup, when they played at home.

The Seleção didn't exactly set their own hemisphere on fire in the Copa América a year later, either.

In fact, dudes were nowhere to be found in the 2016 Copa, either. Didn't get outta their group.

 

Incredibly, it could now become a legitimate question as to whether Brazil can get outta Group E.

Currently, Switzerland is one of the quietest FIFA-ranked No 6 in recent times:

The Schweizer Nati -- the Swiss national team; just as creative as Seleção -- doesn't have the depth of elite players as Brazil, but it could be argued that it has better organization on the pitch.

Especially on defense.

In Rostov, the Brazilians found out firsthand.

 

Yup.

Brazil took control early in order to calm the nerves and confirm they've still got the flair that made them famous.

20 minutes in, the energy paid dividends when Philippe Coutinho, with his powerful right-foot, fired a long-range howitzer to beat Yan Sommer:

 

Tite’s men became impetuous after that, but the Swiss parried every thrust.

So much so, in fact, that the second half found Switzerland fearless, deciding they'd seen the best Brazil could give on the day and handled it. They started attacking Brazil, which created more counters but with nothing to show for them.

Neymar was constantly involved, but not even he could break through. However, dude was extensively fouled.

 

Dude received 10 fouls in the entire game, more than any other team in the competition so far.

With Neymar wary of another drive-by, the Swiss finally found their opening.

Xherdan Shaqiri assisted Steven Zuber from a corner, and the Swiss skied higher than Miranda to pound home a powerful header for the equalizer.

 

Some Brazilians players complained that Miranda was pushed as Zuber arose to beat Alisson, but the VAR correctly denied their claim.

So far, so good with the technology.

The best Brazilian chances came from Coutinho and Neymar, and the Swiss were always dangerous when they had counters.

In the end, objective observers could say the 1-1 was fair.

Rugby fans would've given a clear edge to Switzerland, though.

 

If the hit hard but no card sorta officiating continues, this group will get even more interesting.

 

Serbia's much more physical than the Swiss, and their defense is solid.

It could come down to who pulverizes Costa Rica -- on the scoreboard -- the hardest.