Tite's Brazil were made to try time and again to turn the tide of the match as Costa Rica sat back and invited pressure. 

Neymar started the match poorly but received an abundance of opportunities in the second half. Keylor Navas and Christian Gamboa's man of the match performance nearly earned Costa Rica their first point of the 2018 World Cup. 

Brazil were staring down the barrel of another upset before the former Liverpool connection between Roberto Firmino and Coutinho saw the Barcelona midfielder open the scoring in the 91st minute.

Neymar finally got his goal in the 96th minute to make it 2-0 as Brazil stole all three points. 

It was heartbreak for Costa Rica who, having defended superbly throughout the entire match, are all but eliminated from the tournament.

BRAZIL 

Allison - 6

Wasn't tested in the first half as Costa Rica had three shots with none of them on target. 

Fagner - 5.5

The 29-year old played just his fifth match for Brazil at right-back against Los Ticos. The right flank was heavily guarded by Costa Rica skipper Bryan Ruiz as he couldn't find an avenue to goal in the first half. Douglas Costa's inclusion helped greatly. 

Thiago Silva - 7

On his heels early on with Costa Rica's direct play, the Brazil captain was equal to the task in the first half. 

Miranda - 7

Comfortable in possession and no real difficulties for Miranda at the back. 

Marcelo - 5

Most of Costa Rica's attacks came down Marcelo's left flank as well as one threatening chance where Borges scuppered a shot inside the box. Tried to get Brazil's motor running with their first shot on target in the 41st minute.
 

Casemiro - 5

The Real Madrid midfielder didn't have a bad game but he had no man-marking to do as Costa Rica sat back playing on the counter attack. Some mediocre passing.

Paulinho - 6

His best work came defensively in the first half with some last ditch tackles preventing Costa Rica opening the scoring. As the half wore on he came out of his shell with some great interplay allowing him to dribble forward and set up chances for Neymar. 

Willian - 2

Bryan Oviedo had his number and allowed nothing past the Chelsea winger. Willian had few successful crosses and a number of wayward shots. 

Phillipe Coutinho - 6

Costa Rica played a flat midfield four which helped him find space to roam in between the lines. We found him coming back extremely deep to get touches onto the ball. Came through in the 91st minute to toe-poke home the winner.

Neymar Jr. - 5.5

The double team of Venegas and Gamboa seriously nullified Neymar's ability to make in-roads and reduced him to threatening from set pieces in the first half. A great change of direction opened up space for a shot in the box but the superhuman Navas kept him out. Finally got his goal in the 96th minute. 

Gabriel Jesus - 4

The youngster offered little in the first half as the two sides cancelled each other out. Jesus came to life in the second half, hitting the crossbar with a brilliant header. 

Substitutes 

Douglas Costa - 6

Subbed on for Willian after half-time as Tite looked for someone to break the deadlock. 

Roberto Firmino - 6

The cross for Coutinho, his former Liverpool teammate, won the match for Brazil. 

Fernandinho - N/A

Came on after Coutinho's winner in the 90th minute.

COSTA RICA 

Keylor Navas - 9

Showed his quality in denying Neymar in a race to pick up the loose ball, getting there first to Neymar's touch. Another reaction stop as Neymar nearly opened the scoring within three minutes of the restart. 

Christian Gamboa - 8

A great start jockeying and tackling Marcelo's traveling company down their left hand side before threatening down the right, giving hope for a very defensive Costa Rica. Absolutely brilliant defensive display. A last ditch block almost prevented Coutinho stealing the show. 

Giancarlo Gonzalez - 6

A part of a very tight-knit back four, he pulled off some great interceptions, most notably denying Gabriel Jesus from setting Willian free in the box. 

Johnny Acosta - 6.5

Survived the early tests as Costa Rica sat back denying Neymar and co. the opportunities to exploit them in behind. 

Oscar Duarte - 5.5

Duarte handled himself well as he dealt with Brazil's bombardment of the box in the first 15 minutes of the second half. The 29-year old led by example showcasing some great tackles and clearances.

Bryan Oviedo - 6

Bryan Ruiz' efficiency and good positioning allowed Oviedo to jockey and force players inside. 

Johan Venegas - 6.5

Venegas struggled on the left hand side against Costa Rica and switched wings against Brazil. While Costa Rica sat back, his defensive work was top notch. 

David Guzman - 7

Started positively, in contrast to his match against Serbia, putting early pressure on Miranda. Played some fine passing football against of one of world football's most respected sides. 

Celso Borges - 6

Sprung Brazil on the counter-attack as Gamboa raced past Marcelo and pulled back inside the box but Borges disappointingly shot off target.

Bryan Ruiz - 6.5

Tested early as Costa Rica cleared to his left flank but gave away possession, allowing Coutinho to pounce and have Brazil's first dangerous shot. 

Marco Urena - 5

Substituted after 53 minutes after failing to turn the attacking tide of the match. Costa Rica were forced to play direct but he was marked by both Thiago Silva nad Miranda. 

Substitutes 

Christian Bolanos - 5

Brought on as an outlet for the counter-attack but Los Ticos had very few chances in the second half. 

Yeltsin Tejeda - N/A

Brought on with seven minutes remaining. 

Francisco Calvo - N/A

Brought on for Christian Gamboa with 15 minutes remaining to try to tie down the result for Costa Rica.