In the end, only a second-half goal from Neymar separated the two sides, as Costa Rica produced a stubborn defensive display. That being said, the Central American’s were not without their chances to win the game.
Costa Rica had their best chance of the game after just two minutes, when a delightful chipped cross over the defence found Thiago Silva sleeping. Winston Parks had the chance, just six yards out, to give Costa Rica the lead, but his first touch was abysmal and escaped his control.
With that let-off in mind, Brazil could have punished Parks’ profligacy almost immediately, as Fred burst clear of the defence into a 1-on-1 position, only to place the ball…wide of the goal.
Bar that one moment, Brazil lacked invention and ideas. Neymar and Ronaldinho dropped excrutiatingly deep, whilst Lucas was a mere by-stander to events around him.
The one avenue that provided a modicum of success for Brazil was down the right-flank, from where Fábio delivered some excellent crosses for those in the centre.
Half-time came and went, with the substitutions already flowing. Hernanes and Oscar came on at the break to replace Luiz Gustavo and Lucas Moura, whilst it was not long before Dani Alves was needed to replace the injured Fábio.
Within minutes, Alves had broken the deadlock. Getting forward with success down the right, the Barcelona man delivered the only telling ball of the entire match, which narrowly avoided Fred at the front post, but arrived in the middle for the onrushing Neymar to bundle in.
The nineteen year-old scored his eighth goal in just fourteen Brazil appearances and minutes later went close once more. Fred had threatened with a header, before a long range Neymar effort clipped the bar on its way behind.
It was the best period of the game for Brazil, with Costa Rica comfortable in defence throughout. Hulk and Jonas were given brief late cameos, but the game was already slowly drifting to its conclusion.
The late red-card of Heiner Mora for a reckless lunge on Jonas provided a moment of escape from the tedium, but this is Menezes’ Brazil and this is the type of performance fans of the Seleção have come to expect.
