Brazil v Switzerland player ratings: Casemiro 8, Richarlison 6; Akanji 8, Embolo 5

South Americans seal 1-0 to seal spot in World Cup knockout stages

Alisson Becker 6: Second consecutive clean sheet as Brazil made their best start to a World Cup for 20 years. He hasn’t faced a single shot on target in both games. Brazil are going big on defence. And wins. AP

Militao 6: Usually a centre-half, he moved to right-back as Danilo is injured. Wasn’t as advanced as Brazilian full-backs of yore. There’s a pragmatism to this Brazil side. EPA

Marquinhos 7: The only player on the pitch who had more than 100 touches. Untroubled in the air, even had a shot himself. Always in control. AP

Thiago Silva 7: Blocked a 52nd minute Switzerland attack after Brazil were caught out. Moved up and down the pitch with ease. Defies his age by performing at the highest level for 98 minutes. AFP

Alex Sandro 7: Effective on the left as Brazil weren’t at their best, but they won again and were always in control. AFP

Casemiro 8: Fast one touch passing regularly split the Swiss. Blocked Swiss efforts, thought he’d set up Vinicius for the opening goal. Then he finally put his side ahead with the game’s only goal, a slightly deflected wonder strike. AFP

Fred 7: Effective alongside his Manchester United teammate Casemiro. Brazil were more workmanlike with two midfielders and Neymar absent, though Fred plays in a more advanced role for club compared to country. Booked for a foul after he miscontrolled the ball. AFP

Lucas Paqueta 6: Victim of his side going too narrow in the first half. Brazil were much better when they used width in the second. Getty

Vinicius Junior 8: Denied by the goalkeeper after sneaking behind his marker to sweep the ball at goal just before half-hour mark – Brazil’s first effort on goal. Thought he’d put his side ahead in second half but was caught offside - which had been problem in opening 45. Some super balls in during the second. And thought his 93rd minute shot was going in until blocked. AP

Raphinha 6: Ran inside from the left and took a shot on target in first half but was straight at keeper, but his side didn’t attack much in opening 45 minutes. AFP

Richarlison 6: The main man up front, but isolated with little service in first half. Just missed a beautiful 56th minute ball in from Vinicius. Man of the night against Serbia, but not the Swiss. Getty

SUBS: Rodrygo (On for Paqueta 46’) 7: Had a late shot saved as Brazil tried to finish the game with a flourish. PA

Bruno Guimaraes (On for Fred 58’) 7: Helped Brazil continue increasing the pace against an obdurate Switzerland side – but that coincided with Switzerland’s best spell. Getty

Gabriel Jesus (On for Richarlison 74’) 7: Brought on as Brazil pushed for a winner, even though a draw would have been enough to send them through. PA

Antony (On for Raphinha 74’) 7: Fast, brought down and asked for a card. Not a good look. Tricks and flicks. PA

Alex Telles (On for Sandro 86’) N/A. Getty

SWITZERLAND RATINGS Yann Sommer 7: Called into serious action for first time just before half-hour mark when he palmed Vinicius Junior’s scuffed volley wide for corner. No chance with Casemiro’s thumping finish that also took slight deflection. Tipped over Rodrydo shot minutes after goal. Reuters

Silvan Widmer 7: Caught napping on cross in first half which allowed Vincius Junior free shot at goal but Brazilian failed to connect properly allowing keeper to save. One beautiful first touch followed by low cross into box that Brazil scrambled away after break. AFP

Nico Elvedi 8: Almost paid price for being on wrong wide of Richarlison after 20 minutes but Spurs attacker failed to get touch on cross. Vincius Junior skipped over his sliding challenge ahead of goal that was disallowed for offside. Despite these minor aberrations, was part of a well drilled Swiss defensive performance. Getty

Manuel Akanji 8: Has hit ground running in England since moving to Man City and defender was impressive again here. Timed his challenges well, knocked some lovely cross-field passes out from back and was unlucky when Casemiro’s winner clipped his backside on its way into net. Brilliant block late on to deny Rodrygo. AP

Ricardo Rodriguez 7: Right back should be pleased with his performance up against the dangerous Raphinha who failed to make any impression on game and was taken off in second half. AFP

Remo Freuler 7: Part of a rock-solid midfield axis with Xhaka who helped make life very difficult for the Brazilians in centre of park. AP

Granit Xhaka 7: Swiss captain, enjoying a fine season for club side Arsenal, had to play a far more defensive role than with the Gunners but barely put a foot wrong. No sign of his infamous short fuse either. EPA

Djibril Sow 6: Had shot on edge of box blocked by Vinicius Junior as Swiss finally exerted a bit of attacking pressure on Brazil early in second half. Like his teammates, spent match chasing and harrying Brazil rather than launching any attacks. Reuters

Fabian Rieder 6: Helped keep pressure on Brazil when South Americans in possession but little influence attacking wise. Earned first booking of match for blocking Rodrygo early in second half. AP

Ruben Vargas 7: Decent cut-back from right side of penalty area after 21 minutes when Embolo should have been further forward to take advantage in rare Swiss first-half attack. One of few who looked like could make attacking impact so was slight surprise that he was hooked before hour mark. Getty

Breel Embolo 5: Forward, who scored the winner against Cameroon last time out, never got sniff of goal although feeding on meagerest of scraps in terms of service. Blocked an Alisson clearance in second half but Swiss couldn’t capitalise. AP

Breel Embolo 5: Forward, who scored the winner against Cameroon last time out, never got sniff of goal although feeding on smallest of scraps in terms of service. Blocked an Alisson clearance in second half but Swiss couldn’t capitalise.

SUBS: Edimilson Fernandes (On for Vargas 59’) 5: Mainz player couldn’t inspire any great attacking impetus for the Swiss. AP

Renato Steffen (On for Rieder 59’) 5: No impact from winger against a tough and experienced Brazil defence. AFP

Haris Seferovic (On for Sow 76) N/A. Reuters

Michel Aebischer (On for Embolo 76’) N/A. AFP Alexander Frei (On for Widmer 86’) N/A.

Brazil needed a late strike from Casemiro to edge out Switzerland 1-0 on Monday as the five-time winners secured their place in the World Cup last 16 with one game to spare.

The South Americans had been frustrated by an obdurate Swiss side at Doha's Stadium 974 and it looked as if they would have to settle for a point after a Vinicius Junior strike in the second half was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

But then, with seven minutes remaining, Rodrygo flicked the ball on to Casemiro just inside the box and the Manchester United midfielder's volley flew into the net with the help of a slight but significant deflection off Manuel Akanji.

Tite's side are just the second team to qualify for the last 16 after France and the only side apart from the holders to have won both group matches so far in Qatar.

"The first aim was to qualify. That was really important in a group as difficult as ours," the 30-year-old Casemiro told Brazilian broadcaster Sportv.

"We had to be patient against an experienced side who know how to play the game. It was always going to be decided by little details but we knew we would have plenty of possession and thankfully we managed to get the goal."

In the gallery above, you can see the player ratings from the game at Stadium 974. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.