Brazil vs Costa Rica, LIVE World Cup 2018: Neymar and Philippe Coutinho score - latest score, goals and updates plus how to watch online
Follow all the latest news from the Group E clash in St Petersburg
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Your support makes all the difference.All eyes will once again be on Neymar as Brazil look for their first win of this World Cup 2018 against Group E strugglers Costa Rica in Saint Petersburg.
The world’s most expensive footballer has been nursing an ankle problem in training this week, and Brazil cannot afford any more slip-ups after being held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland.
Defeat could see Costa Rica eliminated at the group stage, following their 1-0 loss to Serbia in Samara on Sunday.
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What time is it?
Brazil vs Costa Rica kicks off at 1pm.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on ITV. It will also be shown live on the ITV website via ITV Player.
Odds
- Brazil: 1/4
- Costa Rica: 20/1
- Draw: 6/1
Prediction
Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica: Even if Neymar doesn’t find top gear, Tite’s men have too much attacking firepower for organised but very limited opponents.
50 mins: Crossbar! Goal? No! Costa Rica somehow survive! Brazil are turning the screw at the start of the second half, and Jeus thought he had header the opener only for his effort to clang back off the woodwork. With the ball still in play, Paulinho tricked possession back to Coutinho in the centre, but his placed effort was deflected beyond Navas and agonisingly wide.
54 mins: Costa Rica make their first substitution of the game. Marco Urena has seen little of the ball in his lone striker's role, and will make way for Christian Bolanos.
56 mins: Navas saves! The Real Madrid goalkeeper keeps Neymar out and Costa Rica in the game. Paulinho's low centre from the right was instinctively flicked towards the roof of the net by the Brazilian forward, only for Navas to rise and tip over the crossbar. Moments later, he's at it again, getting down to low to smother Coutinho's long distance drive.
64 mins: The stars of each side, Neymar and Navas, momentarily let their masks slip. The Brazilian sends a tame and misjudged shot in the direction of the Costa Rica goal which the Real Madrid keeper needs two attempts to claim, having fumbled at the first attempt.
68 mins: An elaborate game of head tennis in the Brazil box marks Costa Rica's best chance of this second half. As ever, Bryan Ruiz is at the heart of it, twice almost teeing up opportunities for teammates, but the ball just would not fall to be hit. Nevertheless, it's a timely reminder that Brazil can be got at in defence.
Meanwhile, Roberto Firmino is on to take the place of, arguably Brazil's best performer, Paulinho.
70 mins: A flurry of Brazil corners brings another chance, this time for Casemiro. The midfielder has a free run at Costa's right-wing delivery but plants his downward header straight at his Real Madrid clubmate, Navas.
72 mins: Neymar blows Brazil's big moment! A terrible first touch by Gamboa, his first real mistake of the afternoon, gifts possession away as Brazil pushed forward, opening up the Costa Rican defence. Neymar took control and moved in on goal with only Navas to beat, but inexplicably curled his shot high over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area. They may not get many better chances.
76 mins: Neymar is once again waved to his feet by referee Bjorn Kuipers after the forward hit the deck inside the box under pressure from Jhonny Acosta.
78 mins: PENALTY TO BRAZIL!
The time Neymar does win a spotkick! The forward goes down in instalments after the slightest of touches from Ginacarlo Gonzalez as he cut back inside the defender and Björn Kuipers awards the penalty. The Costa Rican players are furious and imploring the referee to consult with the video officials which he is now going to do...
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