sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Casemiro's leadership was crucial in Neymar's absence trends now
Casemiro scored a late thunderbolt in Neymar's absence as Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0 to qualify for the World Cup knockouts on Monday.
With Tite's talisman out through injury, having damaged his ankle during Brazil's 2-0 win against Serbia in their opening fixture, the five-time world champions struggled to break down Switzerland's pragmatic defence until Casemiro's 83rd minute stunner.
Sportsmail has assessed each player's performance from both Brazil and Switzerland after the match, with just one more fixture to go in Group G.
Casemiro's superb thunderbolt earned Brazil a narrow 1-0 win against Switzerland on Monday
Manager
Tite - 6
Struggled to deal with Neymar void in attack but kept Brazil tight at the back. Substitutions were positive and helped change the game.
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker - 5
Had little to do but nearly handed Switzerland a couple of gifts. Unusually shaky in possession.
Alisson Becker looked somewhat shaky in possession for Brazil despite keeping a clean sheet
Defenders
Eder Militao - 6
Deputised well in Danilo's absence at right-back. Helped keep Switzerland quiet but could have offered more going forward.
Thiago Silva - 7
Had a couple of sighters at goal from set-pieces and organised Tite's side well. Neat and tidy in defence.
Marquinhos - 7
Helped take pressure off the midfield with creativity from defence. Limited Embolo to very little throughout the game.
Alex Sandro - 7
Showed his experience and stayed switched on to stop the Swiss on the counter.
Left-back Alex Sandro kept his concentration well to stop Switzerland on the counter-attack
Midfielders
Casemiro - 8
Stepped up in the big moments to score the winner and provide the assist for Vinicius' disallowed goal. His experience and leadership is crucial for Brazil.
Fred - 5
Offered very little in the engine room and failed to create anything meaningful. Rightly hooked off in the second-half.
Lucas Paqueta - 5
Gave a forgettable performance in the middle. Worked hard but chances could soon run out for one of Tite's favourites.
Fred replaced injured star Neymar in midfield but failed to impress for the five-time champions
Forwards
Raphinha - 6
Put in a few decent deliveries, namely the cross that Vinicius squandered in the first half. Okay, but can do
