Burden falls on Coutinho to keep Brazil going at World Cup

Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Sunday, June 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

SOCHI, Russia — With Neymar hobbling and struggling, the burden to keep Brazil going at the World Cup is suddenly falling on Philippe Coutinho.

The Barcelona playmaker has already delivered with an outstanding goal in the opener against Switzerland as Neymar was stymied by tough defending and poor fitness. And with the team’s top star not expected to be at his best again for the game against Costa Rica on Friday, it will be up to Coutinho to step forward and try to lead the five-time world champions.

Brazil coach Tite said before the tournament started that Neymar wouldn’t likely be fully fit until the third match of the group stage because of the foot injury that sidelined him for about three months earlier this year.

There were expectations he could still carry Brazil despite the ongoing recovery, but his performance in the 1-1 draw against the Swiss disappointed. He was heavily marked and had little space to create chances for his teammates, being fouled 10 times during the game in Rostov-on-Don. The Paris Saint-Germain player was limping when he talked to reporters after the match, although team doctors said it was nothing serious and he would play Friday.

But the spotlight will also be on Coutinho, whose performance against Switzerland contrasted with Neymar’s lackluster showing.

As the Swiss swarmed toward Neymar every time he touched the ball, Coutinho was able to pose a greater threat in attack. His amazing goal — a right-footed shot from outside the area that curled into the top corner in the 20th minute — was one of the best of the tournament so far. The ball pinged in off the post as Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer dived in vain.

A key to Coutinho’s good performances with Brazil has been Barcelona teammate Paulinho, the defensive midfielder who has been responsible for giving the playmaker more freedom to help Neymar and the other forwards.

“I stay back a little bit more so Coutinho can move forward and take advantage of the great quality that he has up front,” Paulinho said.

If Neymar struggles again against Costa Rica in St. Petersburg, another good showing by Coutinho will be crucial for Brazil, as anything but victory could be a disaster for the “Selecao.”

The draw against Switzerland, which ended Brazil’s nine-match winning streak in World Cup openers, left the national team two points behind Group E leader Serbia, which defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in its opener. Brazil’s final game will be against Serbia on June 27 in Nizhny Novgorod.