World Cup 2018: 3 reasons why Brazil won vs Costa Rica

#2 Change in formation

Brazil started off with a 4-3-3 formation and played in the same shape until the 68th minute. Firmino's introduction saw them go with a 4-2-4 formation with Coutinho as the advanced midfielder and Casemiro as the only one helping out Thiago Silva and Miranda in defence.

It can also be deemed as a 3-3-4 formation with Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Miranda in defence with Marcelo and Fagner acting as wingbacks. The switch got every Costa Rican defender busy with the Brazil attackers and that left Coutinho unmarked most of the time.

The unmarked Barcelona star eventually made them pay with the 91st-minute goal. That broke the Costa Rican hearts and there was no chance of them making a come back in the game they defended so well!