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Agence France-Presse

Philippe Coutinho and Neymar broke down dogged Costa Rica in injury time on Friday, sealing a 2-0 win for Brazil that propels the five-time champions towards the World Cup last 16.
The Central Americans looked likely to hold on for a hard-earned draw, particularly after Neymar had a penalty award chalked off by referee Bjorn Kuipers after he consulted the Video Assistant Referee.
But Coutinho and Neymar finally broke through, scoring in the 91st and 97th minutes to put Tite’s side on the brink of the knockout stages.
At the final whistle, Neymar sat down on the grass and wept, with the emotion of victory hitting home after the tense Group E contest at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Neymar started despite limping out of training on Tuesday with a hurt ankle, which the Brazilian FA said was sustained as a result of snapping Swiss defenders.
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After a ponderous start, Brazil enjoyed a gradual crescendo during the first period but their dominance in possession was not reflected in chances created.
Neymar faced the most devoted of markers in Costa Rica’s Cristian Gamboa, the Brazilian spending most of the half hopping over scything tackles or dodging past a barging shoulder.
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It was a compelling battle. One sumptuous Neymar flick sent the ball flying over Gamboa’s head and later he made an excellent run onto Coutinho’s pass, only to squander the chance with a heavy touch.

Marcelo, Coutinho and Neymar, however, hardly make for the most conscientious combination out wide and when Johan Venegas ran clear down the right, his pullback should have been converted by Celso Borges, who skewed past the post.
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Brazil might have had a penalty when Oscar Duarte blocked Paulinho at a corner and Costa Rica rode their luck again after the break, as Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho all went close.




Jesus’s header crashed against the crossbar and after some excellent work by Paulinho, Coutinho’s follow-up hit the ever-present Gamboa on the line.
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Neymar fired over from Paulinho’s cutback and Coutinho shot straight at Keylor Navas after, again, Paulinho had teed it up.
With 20 minutes left, Gamboa made his first mistake and Neymar should have capitalised. A sloppy touch allowed the striker to cut inside from the left but his bending finish curved around the outside of the post.
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There was more drama to come. With just over 10 minutes left, Neymar’s turn prompted Giancarlo Gonzalez to lose his footing and put his arm across the Brazilian’s chest.
Neymar arched back as if losing his balance before falling to the ground. Kuipers pointed to the spot but after reviewing the video replay, reversed his decision.
Frustration brewed but Costa Rica’s resistance was finally ended in the 91st minute.
Marcelo’s deep cross was kept alive by Roberto Firmino and a loose touch by Jesus dribbled perfectly into Coutinho’s path. Six yards out, he sidefooted home.
Costa Rica conceded again right at the death. Substitute Douglas Costa squared for Neymar to finally find the net.






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Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup: Neymar and Philippe Coutinho goals see off Costa Rica to put Brazil closer to knockouts

Brazil's Neymar congratulates Philippe Coutinho on his goal against Costa Rica. Photo: AFP

TOPSHOT - Brazil's forward Neymar reacts during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 22, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS

A Brazil fan celebrates after the group E match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Brazilian soccer fans celebrate their team's victory as they watch a live telecast of their team's World Cup match against Costa Rica in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, June 22, 2018. Brazil won the match 2-0. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazilian soccer fans celebrate their team's first goal as they watch a live telecast of their team's World Cup match against Costa Rica in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, June 22, 2018. Brazil won the match 2-0. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Costa Rica players react after Brazil's Philippe Coutinho scored the opening goal during the group E match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the St. Petersburg Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

What time is the World Cup on and where can I watch it in Hong Kong? Your guide to Now TV and Viu TV games 

Football fans watch the 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifier between Hong Kong and China. Photo: Felix Wong

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 filer, Brazil's Neymar, center, fights for the ball with Colombia's Abel Aguilar, left, and James Rodriguez, during a 2018 Russia World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

epa06765877 Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 May 2018. Real Madrid won 3-1. EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

TOPSHOT - A man reacts as he watches the the UEFA Champions League final football match, between Real Madrid and Liverpool, at a coffee shop in the Egyptian capital Cairo on May 26, 2018. On the wall is a painting of Liverpool Egytian forward Mohamed Salah. Liverpool suffered the loss of 44-goal top scorer Mohamed Salah to a shoulder injury on 31 minutes, after a tangle with Real defender Sergio Ramos. / AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina vs Haiti - La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, Argentina - May 29, 2018 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Haiti's Bryan Alceus REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

epaselect epa05404586 Germany players (L-R: Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos) react after winning the penalty shoot-out during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Germany and Italy at Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, 02 July 2016. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: For editorial news reporting purposes only. Not used for commercial or marketing purposes without prior written approval of UEFA. Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage. Photographs published in online publications (whether via the Internet or otherwise) shall have an interval of at least 20 seconds between the posting.) EPA/VASSIL DONEV EDITORIAL USE ONLY

England's striker Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring England's second goal during the World Cup 2018 qualification football match between England and Slovakia at Wembley Stadium in London on September 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Sport

Football

Late relief after five-time winners laboured against Central Americans as VAR referral controversially denying a penalty after the referee had given it


Patek Philippe

Neymar

Fifa World Cup: Neymar and Philippe Coutinho goals see off Costa Rica to put Brazil closer to knockouts

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Late relief after five-time winners laboured against Central Americans as VAR referral controversially denying a penalty after the referee had given it

Late relief after five-time winners laboured against Central Americans as VAR referral controversially denying a penalty after the referee had given it