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World Cup: The Best of Group E – Brazil rebounds and Switzerland join

By Orri Benatar

ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JUNE 17: Neymar Jr of Brazil is challenged by Valon Behrami of Switzerland and Granit Xhaka of Switzerland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at Rostov Arena on June 17, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JUNE 17: Neymar Jr of Brazil is challenged by Valon Behrami of Switzerland and Granit Xhaka of Switzerland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at Rostov Arena on June 17, 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /
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The five-time world champs rebounded after a draw with Switzerland. La Nati stayed unbeaten and are returning to the Round of 16.

Group E finished as many expected. Brazil and Switzerland are going to the Round of 16 while Serbia and Costa Rica are going home. Despite the expected standings coming to life, most of the games were decided by one kick.

Serbia beat Costa Rica on a Kolarov free kick. Shaqiri beat Serbia in stoppage time. Coutinho beat Costa Rica in stoppage time and Bryan Ruiz had some luck on a penalty. This was the group of stoppage time goals and some of the most under the radar moments of this World Cup.

Best Game: Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

The emotion surrounding this game was on another level. Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri were both vehemently booed by the Serbian fans and they paid back the price by producing the first comeback of the World Cup. The game was open, the goals were great, and it was pure drama unfolding before our eyes.

Most Memorable Moment – Sommer’s own goal off a penalty

For the first time in my life, I saw a penalty that was awarded as an own goal. The last kick of Group E was a penalty by Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz in stoppage time against Switzerland. Ruiz stepped up and nailed the ball into the crossbar. It then deflects off the bar and into Sommer’s head and into the net. How unlucky can you get?

Best Player – Phillipe Coutinho

He was the difference maker for Brazil hands down in the group stage. While all the defenses went to foul Neymar, they forgot about the Barcelona midfielder passing around them and scoring wonder goals. His two goals were enough to earn Brazil four out of the seven points they got in Group E. Expect him to be great when Brazil play Mexico on Monday.

Best Goal – Xhaka rifle against Serbia

Man, this was a bullet. The ball was spinning like a top and Xhaka just annihilated it into the side netting to equalize for Switzerland against Serbia. Will we see that at Arsenal next season?

Next: Best of Group F

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