Switzerland perform like clockwork but Brazil underwhelm in World Cup opener

And so Brazil join the list of misfiring big guns.

Portugal v Spain was a joyously flawed 3-3 draw, France’s 2-1 triumph against Australia utterly bereft of joy. Argentina and Lionel Messi were frozen by Iceland’s grip in a 1-1 stalemate, holders Germany overrun by mesmerizing Mexico in deserved 1-0 defeat.

This pattern appeared at an end when Coutinho lashed in an alluring 20^th-minute opener for the record five-times winners and pre-tournament favourites.

But Brazil’s distinct lack of fluidity – only 11 key passes from a total of 543 passes, five shots on target from 21 shots – and defeat in the physical battle – 10-per-cent less possession from Switzerland translated into 13 more tackles and seven more fouls – saw the Europeans justifiably come away with a share of the spoils in Group E.

Particularly in the second half, none of Brazil’s stellar names shone.

Golden boy Neymar’s grand return from injury was a virtual washout. The 26-year-old had no answer to the 10 fouls inflicted upon him – no player has suffered more in one World Cup game since England’s Alan Shearer 20 years ago.

A defence which conceded once in 11 prior matches was also easily cracked by Zuber.

This was more 2014’s living nightmare than 1970’s Technicolor dream. In contrast, a Swiss side which won nine out of 10 qualifiers and whose XI possessed 595 international caps grew in strength.

Tite will hope improved match fitness from acolyte and second-half substitute Renato Augusto translates into a more-effective performance on Friday against Costa Rica.

For the Swiss, head coach Vladimir Petkovic will care little that their only attempt on target led to a goal. Satisfying certainty is a feeling his lauded opposite number doesn’t currently possess.

COUTINHO ANSWERS HIS CALLING

It feels incongruous to note that Coutinho only made his World Cup debut on Sunday night, at the age of 26.

Players of rare talent can open up their body on the edge of the penalty box and produce the whipped opener which flew perfectly, at breakneck speed, into Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s top corner.

This club becomes more exclusive when you consider an extensive backlog of similar efforts recently includes his first strike for Barcelona after January’s club-record €160 million (Dh683m) move from Liverpool.

Tagged for greatness when wrestled from the Vasco Da Gama youth system by Internazionale a decade ago, he was expected to mirror the precipitous rise of contemporary – and great friend – Neymar.

But he was enduring teething problems at San Siro for the 2010 event. By the time the tournament headed to his homeland four years later, career rehabilitation was still under way on Merseyside and head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari ignored his claims.

Such ignorance was not to last. The only tangible legacy of Dunga’s poor second spell at the helm was a reintegration of Coutinho.

This process accelerated under Tite since 2016. The challenge now is a documented ability to answer his nation’s call at times of strife. This cry for help went unanswered in Rostov.

BRAZIL’S BASIC FAILURE

Reputations count for nothing at the World Cup. Brazil’s superior standing simply did not translate onto the pitch.

Winger Xherdan Shaqiri was relegated from the Premier League with Stoke City last season. His three key passes was one less than Brazil’s best, Neymar.

Udinese veteran Valon Behrami’s six tackles was double the leading tallies registered by Miranda and Marcelo.

Centre-back Fabian Schar also suffered the drop in 2017/18 with Deportivo La Coruna from La Liga. His five clearances was exactly the same as Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva.

Until Brazil master the basics, they cannot hope to sweep aside the so-called stragglers.