2 Philippe Coutinho came to Brazil 's rescue with a 91st-minute strike from Roberto Firmino 's knockdown, and Neymar added a second at the death to consign Costa Rica to elimination with a group game to spare. Neymar cut a particularly exasperated figure, especially after a 78th-minute penalty that he had bought under the challenge of Giancarlo Gonzalez was overturned by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers after a referral to VAR. It appeared that the Selecao, who drew with Switzerland in their opening match of the tournament, were in for another frustrating day as Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas made a string of fine saves to keep the sides deadlocked. Brazil needed a couple of stoppage-time goals to overcome Costa Rica with a 2-0 victory in Saint Petersberg which takes them top of World Cup Group E this afternoon. One of football's South American giants was slain last night as Argentina were humbled 3-0 by Croatia. Now it is Brazil's turn to encounter a potential banana skin as they face 2014 quarter-finalists Costa Rica in Saint-Petersberg. Kickoff is at 1pm - let's get straight to the team news... COSTA RICA: Navas; Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte, Oviedo; Gamboa, Borges, Ruiz, Guzman, Venegas; Urena Subs: Daniel Colindres, Campbell, Bolanos, Smith, Wallace, Waston, Gutierrez, Calvo, Tejeda, Moreira, Pemberton, Azofeifa Neymar is passed fit following fears that he had aggravated a previous foot injury when he missed training this week, but there is one enforced change for Brazil as Danilo drops out for Fagner at right-back. With Dani Alves also injured, the South Americans are down to their third choice in that position. Once again, Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, who has 10 caps in 18 international appearances, is preferred to Liverpool's Roberto Firmino to lead the line. Firmino only has six goals in 22 Brazil caps, but he is undoubtedly coming off a better domestic season than his Premier League rival. Firmino's former Liverpool teammate Philippe Coutinho was Brazil's goalscorer in the first match with a trademark curling effort - one of few moments of real quality as Tite 's side settled for a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. "We said after the last game we need to improve," Coutinho told BBC Sport. Costa Rica also make one change, and it is also at full-back as Bryan Oviedo, who may be playing in League One with Sunderland next season, comes in for Francisco Calvo in the five-man defence. Another British-based player - Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa - keeps his place on the opposite flank. Joel Campbell, who is somehow still on the books at Arsenal - he spent last season on loan at Real Betis - has to make do with a place on the bench. Ex-Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz, mercurial enough to wear Brazil yellow on his day but very inconsistent, is Costa Rica's attacking talisman. Costa Rica can only boast of one previous World Cup victory against South American opposition, although that did come four years ago when they beat Uruguay in the same group that England crashed out of. Campbell, as well as Oscar Duarte and Marco Urena, who do start today, were the scorers. Urena can consider himself lucky to keep his spot in the starting lineup after only having 14 touches in 67 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Serbia, with three of those in the opposition box. After Campbell replaced him, he had 24 touches and four in the opposition box in only a third of the time. Brazil are currently suffering from their worst World Cup run in 40 years. They are winless in three matches for the first time since June 1978, when they went four matches without victory. Their defence has been to blame - they have conceded 10 of last 13 shots on target faced at the World Cup. Of course, seven of those were against Germany on that infamous night in Belo Horizonte four years ago. That was a painful evening for all of Brazilian football, particularly poster boy Neymar, who missed the semi-final humiliation through injury. He was in the wars again against Switzerland - fouled 10 times which is the most a player has been fouled in a World Cup match since 1998, when England's Alan Shearer was fouled 11 times against Tunisia. HEAD TO HEAD: Brazil have won nine of their last 10 internationals against Costa Rica, losing only in a friendly in March 1960. This is their third World Cup meeting, with the Selecao winning the previous two including a 5-2 victory en route to lifting the trophy in 2002. Just under five minutes until kickoff, and the players are out for the national anthems. A reminder that Costa Rica will be knocked out today if they lose. No result for Brazil will determine their fate this afternoon, although a win would set them up nicely for a potential final-game showdown with Serbia. PREDICTION: Brazil have topped their first-round group in every World Cup since 1982, and they really need to win today to continue that record. I think they will, and I also think this will be the match when one of the big boys finally makes a statement. Let's go for 3-0 Brazil. KICKOFF: We are underway in Saint-Petersburg, where our officials are from Netherlands, led by the experienced We are underway in Saint-Petersburg, where our officials are from Netherlands, led by the experienced Bjorn Kuipers . Brazil are in their changed all-blue strip, with Costa Richa in white. Coutinho's goal against Switzerland was his 11th for Brazil, and five of those have come from outside the box. The Barcelona playmaker has an early sighter here but it was always rising high of the crossbar. Ruiz has taken up a position on the left for Costa Rica, which does take him away from where he can be most dangerous. "We need to win the ball back quickly and counter-attack quickly," the captain told BBC Sport this week. Based on his Fulham days, winning the ball back isn't really his game. Former West Brom defender Gamboa was not judged good enough by Brendan Rodgers to get near his Celtic team, but he is a regular starter for his country. Gamboa only has three goals in 68 caps, which is hardly a surprise considering the wild nature of a long-range strike which finds row Z. Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be determined to impress this afternoon, with the man tipped to replace him at Real Madrid - Alisson - at the other end. Navas has helped Real to three Champions League titles but Madrid are reportedly looking at the Roma stopper. Mind you, so are a few others. Casemiro kicks the ball out of play and trots over to the touchline with a concerned look on his face. It is just a nose bleed that he needs tending to, and Brazil play keep ball while a man down. CHANCE! Costa Rica should be in front, with a brilliant change of pace from Gamboa leaving Paulinho in his wake on the Brazil left. The cutback is into a decent area, and Celso Borges runs onto it but steers his side-footed effort just wide of the post. Another brief stoppage here, but this one of genuine concern with Neymar going over on his ankle. The former Barcelona star has not begun the match convincingly with a couple of sloppy passes and set-piece deliveries, and he doesn't seem to be moving too freely. Even short of full fitness, Neymar still has the potential to rip Costa Rica apart and a lovely bit of skill here, lifting the ball over Gamboa's head and running clear, shows that he is in the mood, dodgy ankle or not. It takes a cynical trip to bring him down and somehow Gamboa escapes a yellow card. Coutinho has started to find a little bit of space in the middle of the park and he gets away from Borges on the half turn here, but then badly overhits his attempted through-ball to Jesus. Jesus is looking a little isolated at the head of the Brazil attack at the moment. Willian is hugging the right touchline and Neymar is coming deep to drop the ball. This is where Firmino would be more proactive in getting himself involved, but it might leave the South Americans without a direct outlet. The Man City forward is involved here, winning a free kick which Neymar, of course, whips into the box. Thiago Silva wins the header but cannot direct it even remotely close to Navas's goal. Brazil are just starting to go through the gears here. Both Neymar and Jesus have embarked on adventurous runs forward but on each occasion Costa Rica have got in an important tackle. DISALLOWED! An unbelievable touch and finish on the volley from Jesus is in vain as he is rightly flagged offside from the An unbelievable touch and finish on the volley from Jesus is in vain as he is rightly flagged offside from the Marcelo shot which was deflected into his path. CHANCE! A beautiful pass from Coutinho finds the run of Neymar off the left. His first touch is a little heavy, and some hesitation allows Navas to dart off his line and smother at his feet. SHOTS! Marcelo has taken up camp in the Costa Rica half, dragging a 20-yard shot a few yards wide. Coutinho follows up that effort with an attempted repeat of his Switzerland strike but he doesn't quite generate the bend to trouble Navas at his far post. It is starting to feel like a matter of time for Brazil. On the left, Marcelo releases Neymar who cuts back onto his right foot and stands up a cross which Ovideo does really well to head clear under pressure from Jesus at the far stick. Costa Rica need to try to take the sting out of the game by keeping possession for a few minutes, but they can't get hold of the ball. Willian has largely been a spectator on the right and takes a rare opportunity with the ball to cut inside, but he can't control a left-footed shot which skews high and wide. Marcelo knocks in a decent cross but Jesus is in the box on his own against three centre-backs and the ball is cleared. Paulinho is usually the type of midfielder who makes a late run into the area - bagging nine goals for Barcelona in such a fashion last season- but he was way off the pace there. Referee Kuipers has a stern word with Urena after he leaves a foot in on Fagner. The lone Costa Rica striker has not seen the ball in 20 minutes and the frustration is written all over his face. Dazzling skill from Marcelo frees him of two defenders and allows him the space to pick out Willian with a lovely switch of play. The Chelsea man wins a corner, and delivers it himself with Paulinho bundled to ground in the middle by Duarte. The referee looks at it closely but waves play on. SHOT! Coutinho is playing deeper than Marcelo for much of this match, and he shifts the ball on to the full-back who cuts inside and wraps his foot round a decent right-footed shot which his Real Madrid colleague is equal to in the Costa Rica goal. Paulinho finally makes a forward run and is in acres of space down the Brazil right. He knocks a cross into a decent area, but it is too far in front of Jesus, and Neymar cannot recycle play effectively at the back post. Costa Rica have had a lot of defending to do in the last 25 minutes but are finishing the half on the front foot. Guzman fails to spot a good chance to release Ruiz in the right channel and the attack dies a slow death. HALF TIME: BRAZIL 0-0 COSTA RICA The half-time whistle blows in Saint-Petersberg and once again we are goalless at the break in this World Cup - the ninth time that has been the case in 23 matches so far in Russia. Costa Rica kept Brazil in check for the first 20 minutes but since the Selecao have been knocking on the door for a goal.<doc-sep>BRAZIL face Costa Rica in Group E on Friday with both sides looking for their first win of the 2018 World Cup. Tite's side drew 1-1 with Switzerland while Costa Rica were beaten by Serbia in the opening round.<doc-sep>
All you need to know about the Group E clash today Brazil didn’t exactly live up to their billing as the World Cup favourites in their opening Group E match of the World Cup. Tite’s star-studded team could only manage a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, with Neymar expertly marshalled by Valon Behrami and co. 3 Neymar starts for Brazil against Costa Rica Neymar sparked fears over his fitness when he limped out of training earlier this week but looks certain to play against Costa Rica. Los Ticos face an uphill task to progress to the knockout stage after losing 1-0 to Serbia in their opening game. Full match preview here. When is Brazil vs Costa Rica? The match will take place on Friday, June 22 and will kick off at 1pm UK time. The match will be at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, which has a capacity of around 67,000. 3 The Saint Petersburg Stadium will host Brazil vs Costa Rica How can I listen? Click here to listen to our live commentary of the action as it happens on talkSPORT. Who are the key players? In a team of world-class talent, it speaks volumes that Neymar quite clearly stands out. The hopes of an entire nation rest largely on the worlds most expensive player. Given that he is the countrys only footballer who turns out regularly for one of the worlds best teams (Real Madrid), there is no doubt that Keylor Navas is Costa Ricas key man. He’ll have to be at his best to keep out Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and co. What is the team news? Brazil boss Tite was sweating over the fitness of Neymar following his foul-filled performance against the Swiss, but the forward has been passed fit to start. Danilo is out with a thigh injury so Fagner comes into the side in the only change to the team which started against Switzerland. Confirmed Brazil XI: Alisson; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Fagner, Casemiro, Coutinho; Willian, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar. Costa Rica have no injury worries heading into the match. They make just one change with Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo coming in at left-back in place of Francisco Salvo. Confirmed Costa Rica XI: Navas; Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte; Gamboa, Oviedo, Borges, Bryan, Guzman, Venegas, Urena. What does Group E look like ahead of the match? Latest World Cup News change FIFA considering proposals to hold men's and women's World Cup every two years WHAT A BEAUTY Nike reveal another stunning Nigeria kit for 2022 World Cup and AFCON GOAL MACHINE What happened next to England's previous Golden Boot winner? THIRD PLACE Does the World Cup have a bronze medal and what is the prize money? DAPPER BOSS Why does Gareth Southgate wear a waistcoat? ON THE PLANE England icon Gazza flies to Russia to support Three Lions in World Cup SPITTING IMAGE Incredible Gareth Southgate lookalike steals the show at England v Sweden 'ABSOLUTE DISGRACE' Fans turn on Manchester United star after shock World Cup exit talkSPORT will be with listeners all day and all night at this year’s 2018 FIFA World Cup™ with over 800 hours of World Cup content and all 64 games live across the talkSPORT network.