World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 28, 2022 at 4pm UK

Brazil
1 - 0
Switzerland

Casemiro (83')
Fred (52')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Rieder (50')

Brazil out to break World Cup group-stage record against Switzerland

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 27 November 2022

Brazil will be looking to break a World Cup group-stage record when they face Switzerland in their second Group G clash at Stadium 974 on Monday.

The five-time world champions kicked off their 2022 campaign in Qatar with a 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday, courtesy of two second-half strikes from Richarlison.

Brazil's win was somewhat marred, however, as both Neymar and Danilo picked up ankle ligament injuries in the second half and both players have been ruled out of Monday's contest.

Nevertheless, Tite's side managed to claim maximum points from their opening fixture and in doing so extended their impressive unbeaten run at the group stage of the World Cup to 16 matches.

The Selecao's run consists of 13 victories and three draws across the last six World Cup finals, with their last group-stage defeat against Norway back in 1998 – losing 2-1 at the Stade Velodrome in France.

Richarlison scores for Brazil against Serbia on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

Should Brazil avoid defeat against Switzerland on Monday, they will become the first nation in World Cup history to boast a 17-game unbeaten run in the group stage of the competition, a feat which excludes second and final group phases in earlier editions.

Brazil will be regarded as favourites to come out on top against the Swiss, but success is not guaranteed as they have only won one of their last four meetings against them.

The Selecao lost 1-0 in two friendlies against Switzerland in 1989 and 2013, before playing out a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which saw Steven Zuber cancel out a Philippe Coutinho opener.

After beating Serbia last week, Brazil will look to win back-to-back World Cup matches against European nations for the first time since a run of six between 2002 and 2006 when they face the Swiss on Monday.

As for Murat Yakin's side, who secured a slender 1-0 win over Cameroon in their opening Group G fixture, they will be looking to win their opening two games at a World Cup for the first time when they lock horns with Brazil.

However, they head into Monday's encounter having won just one of their eight World Cup matches against South American nations, beating Ecuador 2-1 in 2014.