World Cup

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Attendance: 43,109

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 17, 2018 at 7pm UK

Brazil
1-1
Switzerland Switzerland

Coutinho (20')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Zuber (50')

Vladimir Petkovic: 'Switzerland off to a great start'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 18 June 2018

Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic expresses his delight after his side claimed a point against Brazil in their World Cup opener on Sunday.

Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic has expressed his delight after his side claimed a point against Brazil in their World Cup opener on Sunday.

Steven Zuber's controversial header levelled the scores early in the second half after Philippe Coutinho's strike from outside the box had given Brazil the advantage before the break.

Petkovic, speaking to reporters after the game, praised his team for remaining calm after going a goal down.

"When we are able to play forward and press higher up we were able to do it well and it is an excellent starting position for the rest of our group matches," the 54-year-old said. "The opponents were not well positioned and it was not a foul [for Zuber's header].

"We had real difficulties in the first 40 minutes, I said 'let's remain calm, focused and believe in ourselves, push up higher up the pitch and create opportunities to score'."

Switzerland face Serbia on Friday, before meeting Costa Rica in their final group game next Wednesday.