Brazil struggled to break down a resilient Costa Rica side in their second match of Group E today, with some histrionics by Neymar the main talking point of the match.
In the 78th minute a brilliant Brazil attack was ended when Neymar got the ball in the box, turned inside and tried to make an absolute meal out of a stray hand from Costa Rica defender Oscar Duarte.
Referee Bjorn Kiupers initially seemed to signal for a spot kick, then went to VAR and upon reflection, disallowed the penalty.
Take a look:
VAR rules no penalty, the Neymar persecution complex just hit 11 #BRA 0-0 #CRC #Worldcup #RTEsoccerhttps://t.co/xxo2vgzqlD pic.twitter.com/O5anTBfwIp
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2018
Neymar went on to see yellow for dissent after thumping the ball agains the ground with his fist, but the Selecao would eventually overcome their frustration with Philipe Coutinho making the breakthrough in added time, slotting the ball betweeen Keylor Navas' legs after a poor touch by Gabriel Jesus:
Heartbreak for #CRC as Coutinho starts and finishes the move with Firmino and Jesus playing their role too #Worldcup #RTEsoccer https://t.co/xxo2vgzqlD pic.twitter.com/9t9SMn2H0k
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2018
Neymar would add some gloss to the scoreline in the last minute of the game tapping home from a Douglas Costa cutback:
Neymar wraps it up from close range and it finishes #BRA 2-0 #CRC. Neymar is crying, the Costa Ricans are crying, anyone with Brazil in the office sweepstake is probably weeping tears of relief too #RTEsoccer #worldcup https://t.co/xxo2vgzqlD pic.twitter.com/EjNzlr2cyK
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2018
