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')

Team News: Neymar starts for Brazil in 2018 World Cup opener against Switzerland

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter

Published: June 17 2018 | 18:03

Last updated: June 18 2018 | 18:42

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar is named in Brazil's starting XI for the Selecao's World Cup Group E meeting against Switzerland in Rostov.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been named in Brazil's starting XI for the Selecao's World Cup Group E meeting against Switzerland in Rostov.

The 26-year-old had been been out of action since February with a broken metatarsal in his right foot, missing the final few months of the domestic season.

However, Neymar played and scored for Brazil in the pre-World Cup friendlies against Croatia and Austria, earning him a place in the nation's first starting lineup of the tournament.

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus is also selected from the off, which leaves Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino having to make do with a spot on the bench.

Further back, Paulinho and Casemiro will hold the midfield, while Danilo starts at right-back, and Alisson Becker is picked in goal ahead of Ederson.

As for Switzerland, Haris Seferovic starts up top despite not scoring since October for his club Benfica, which means that Breel Embolo is among the substitutes.

Stephan Lichtsteiner, Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka are also among the starters for Vladimir Petkovic's charges.

Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Paulinho, Casemiro; Coutinho, Willian, Neymar; Jesus

Switzerland: Sommer; Rodriguez, Akanji, Schar, Lichtsteiner; Xhaka, Behrami; Zuber, Dzemaili, Shaqiri; Seferovic

Follow all the action from the Rostov Arena with Sports Mole's live match commentary.