Brazil v Costa Rica: Neymar must stand tall to end Brazil's World Cup slump

Brazil began their 2018 World Cup in bumpy fashion after they were held to a 1-1 draw with Switzerland and it continues a worrying trend for the South Americans.

After crashing out in 2014 after a 7-1 loss to Germany on home soil, the Brazilians have now failed to win three straight World Cup matches - their longest barren run since 1978.

Neymar, who was absent for that semi-final smashing four years ago, has quickly established himself as the star of this Brazil side and found himself the target of the Swiss in Rostov.

The PSG attacker was fouled 10 times on the night, the most times for a single player in a World Cup since 1998 when Alan Shearer was tripped up on 11 occasions against Tunisia. 

Sporting a new hair style, Neymar struggled to strut his stuff against Switzerland and was coy about the attention he received post-match.

"I have nothing to say about it," Neymar said post-match.

"All I have to do is to play football, or try to do it.

"It's for the referee to see it. I guess that will be normal [to be fouled regularly], we have to pay attention to it, but that's something normal in football."

Attention is something Neymar must simply learn to deal with on the football pitch and having been so instrumental in World Cup qualifying, Brazil and Neymar need to find a way to ensure he can still shine in Russia.

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Costa Rica shape as ideal opposition for Brazil to bounce back against with the South Americans claiming nine wins from the ten games played between them.

The Ticos fell 1-0 to Serbia in their World Cup opener and must turn some worrying form in front of goal around having scored just one goal in the tournament from their last 31 shots.

In their favour is a Brazilian side that has leaked 10 goals from the past 13 shots on target in the World Cup. 

An upset does however look unlikely and should Neymar find a way to stay on his feet in Saint Petersburg, expect Brazil to remind the world why they are real contenders in Russia. 

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