Brazil 2 Costa Rica 0

Evra’s bow tie has gone thank God. Fifteen minutes before the Brazil game - Gareth Southgate is asked about Dele Alli’s fitness. Way to build up the game you’re showing.

Things underway after the anthems, Costa Rica’s seemingly the longest in the world. Brazil wearing blue despite them being the nominal home team and the yellow not clashing with their opponent’s white. Unless you’re watching in black and white. And another stadium with a complicated stand annoyingly casting a shadow over the pitch. Tyldesley and Hoddle gobsmacked that Joel Campbell isn’t playing because - well, he’s an Arsenal player innit?

Costa Rica’s best chance amongst the inevitable Brazilian pressure came after wonderful work from Gamboa but was wasted (Hoddle of course sagely telling us that “you have to hit the target from there”). On this form you do wonder why the right-back doesn’t get a look-in at Celtic. 

Brazil upped their game after around twenty-five minutes and began to get in behind their opponents without breaking through, and the pattern continued as they came out all guns blazing after the interval. They hit the bar and had a shot blocked on the line by that man Gamboa although Costa Rica got forward dangerously at times too. 

Neymar tumbled in the box to earn a penalty, but good old VAR allowed the referee to realise his mistake and bravely reverse the decision although  for some reason he didn’t book him for diving. In added time Brazil finally went in front through Coutinho then Neymar added a second before, for some reason, bursting into tears. I have always enjoyed watching Brazil over the years but it is very difficult to support a side with the odious Neymar in it. 

Costa Rica eliminated, Brazil still not through.

One final thought - when did Costa’s first name become “Dooglas”?