2022 FIFA World Cup: Group G revisited

Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia have been drawn into the same group for the second consecutive World Cup.

The three nations were put in Group G during the draw in Doha, four years after playing each other during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Last time out, Brazil topped the group with seven points and progressed to the knockout rounds along with Switzerland, who finished on five points. Serbia only managed to get points in one of their fixtures as they beat Costa Rica, who finished bottom of the group with one point.

Here are how the games played out in 2018…

Brazil vs Switzerland

Going into the tournament, Brazil and Switzerland were the favourites to progress from the group. Marcelo was captaining the Brazilians, who were looking to revive themselves from their embarrassing exit from the 2014 World Cup to Germany.

The game was even in terms of possession but Brazil were more dangerous going forward and created more chances than their European counterparts.

Coutinho opened the scoring in typical Coutinho fashion as he cut inside onto his right foot and bent the ball around Yann Sommer from outside of the box. They led the game at half-time but were pegged back shortly after the break.

Xherdan Shaqiri delivered a corner and Steven Zuber rose above everyone to win the header and put it into the roof of the net. This was one of Switzerland’s two shots on target in the entire game, but it was enough for them to secure an important draw against the most successful side in the tournament’s history.

Switzerland vs Serbia

Serbia went into this game sitting top of the table, knowing a win over Switzerland would see them qualify for the knockout stages.

They started the game perfectly for Serbia as Aleksandar Mitrovic showed his superb aerial ability as he nodded home Dusan Tadic’s cross.

The first half consisted of 19 shots between the two sides but only Mitrovic managed to find the back of the net. The second half however was a very different story.

Switzerland carried on their attacking nature in the next half, but Serbia struggled to build on their lead.

Seven minutes into the second half, the ball rebounded to the edge of the box and Granit Xhaka was on hand to rifle the ball into the side netting and equalise the game. This fixture was an important one for Xhaka due to his family’s heritage from Albania and Kosovo, and the political struggles between those countries and Serbia. Another player with a similar story is the Swiss’ talisman Xherdan Shaqiri.

Mario Gavranovic, one of the Swiss heroes at Euro 2020, played Shaqiri in on goal in the 90^th minute and the winger slotted the ball past Vladimir Stojkovic in goal. This sparked pandemonium amongst the Swiss fans as Shaqiri and Xhaka celebrated the goal together by performing a ‘double eagle’ gesture, a celebration they were later fined for.

Brazil vs Serbia

Serbia needed to beat Brazil in their final group game whereas a draw was enough for the South American side to progress.

It was an awkward start for Brazil after Marcelo picked up an injury in the tenth minute and had to be replaced by then Atletico Madrid player Filipe Luis.

Brazil grew into the half well and both Neymar and Gabriel Jesus came close to scoring before Paulinho eventually gave them the lead. The midfielder lobbed Stojkovic after Coutinho put him in behind.

After the hour mark, Serbia finally found some attacking momentum as Mitrovic had two opportunities to tie the game.

His first effort was blocked on the line by Thiago Silva and four minutes his header was brilliantly saved by Alisson in goal.

Just as they began growing into the game, Silva dealt a fatal blow to Aleksander Kolarov’s side after he scored a header of his own to give Brazil a 2-0 lead.

The game was comfortable from there on in for Brazil and as Switzerland drew 2-2 to Costa Rica in the final group game, the Brazilians topped Group E.

Cameroon have been drawn alongside these three nations for the Qatar World Cup which will be taking place in November and December.

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