Casemiro pops up to send Brazil past Switzerland into the knockout stages

Casemiro came to Brazil's rescue as they left it late to secure their passage to the World Cup knockout stage with a 1-0 Group G victory over Switzerland.

The Swiss, who held the Brazilians to a 1-1 draw in Russia four years ago, looked set to repeat the feat until the Manchester United midfielder struck seven minutes from time to claim the points.

Defeat was perhaps harsh on Murat Yakin's men, who had frustrated the five-times winners for long periods to make them feel the absence of injured superstar Neymar, although a point from their final fixture against Serbia would be enough to send them through unless Cameroon pull off a major shock against Brazil on Friday.

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In a cagey start, neither side was able to exert any real control on a game fought out largely in the middle third of the pitch until Lucas Paqueta, Richarlison and Vinicius started to combine in ominous fashion.

Indeed, neither goalkeeper had a save of note to make until Yann Sommer had to dive to his right to turn away Vinicius' 27th-minute scuffed strike as he slid in at the far post to meet Raphina's cross.

Raphina drilled a curling left-footed shot into Sommer's midriff after cutting across the edge of the penalty area four minutes later, with Brazil pressing and the Swiss offering little in response.

Thiago Silva had to be at his best to prevent Ruben Vargas from turning on Ricardo Rodriguez's ball into the box six minutes before the break, but that foray deep into enemy territory proved something of a