Brazilian media disappointed over Brazil-Switzerland match result

Media outlets in Brazil expressed their disappointment over the national team's opening match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Switzerland that ended in a 1-1 tie, and questioned the performance of the match's referee.

Newspaper O Globo described on its website the Brazilian national team's performance in the opening match on Sunday with Switzerland as "disappointing," reports Efe.

Brazil's state news agency Agencia Brasil said the team, colloquially known as "La Canarinha", "played badly" and called the match's second half "bad".

It also complained about Mexican referee Cesar Arturo Ramos's decision not to blow his whistle when a Swiss player pushed Miranda before scoring an equaliser.

Folha de Sao Paulo, an influential newspaper in Brazil, said the performance of the Brazilian team, led by coach Tite, was "off", and another newspaper, Estado de Sao Paulo, indicated that the team's performance in the 2018 World Cup was "below expectations."

Estado de Sao Paulo said that the draw was the result of the team's good and talented play in the first half combined with its failures in defence and lack of creativity during the second half.

This is the first time since the 1978 World Cup in Argentina that the five-time champions have not won their opening match.

On Friday, Brazil will play against Costa Rica, who lost 0-1 to Serbia on Sunday.

Brazil is set to face Serbia on June 27, the final match day of Group E.

--IANS

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