World Cup 2018: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland; 3 key battles that decided the game

#2 Xherdan Shaqiri vs Marcelo

Shaqiri ensured that Marcelo always had his hands full and his heart in his mouth

The right hand side of the Swiss half was the one that witnessed the most action, with Neymar and Coutinho storming down it and getting knocked down repeatedly by Lictsteiner & co. But a little bit further away, there was a battle going on between Marcelo and Shaqiri.

It is no secret that Shaqiri is Switzerland's most creative player, and the one the Brazilian defense had to keep an eye on. The problem was how the Swiss would give the ball to him, and it turns out the answer is Xhaka.

The connection between the two was important, as Xhaka released Shaqiri with his long balls, and then the play-maker turned to Seferovic to finish his crosses. This connection was not fully realised in the first half, but in the second - where Switzerland dominated, it was seen in its full glory.

It was Shaqiri's corner as well that earned Switzerland's goal - a glowing example of Swiss precision, and Zuber only had to make sure that he got his head on to it, which he did to the surprise of the Brazilian defenders.

Marcelo still had his marauding runs forward, but like the rest of the Brazilian attack, lacked anything concrete. His crosses were mostly blocked, and his usual one-twos with Neymar did not turn out to be as easy.