Brazil and Switzerland draw 1-1 in Group E match in Rostov-on-Don

Haris Seferovic (R front) of Switzerland falls down during a group E match between Brazil and Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Brazil and Switzerland drew their opening World Cup group E match 1-1 in the Rostov Arena on Sunday night.

Philippe Coutinho put Brazil ahead after 20 minutes with a curling shot, but Steven Zubar's 50th minute header meant it ended all square.

Coutinho's goal, which was a curling 25-yard shot that went in off the post looked to have put Brazil in control, but they seemed to lose focus and although Switzerland failed to get a shot on target in the first 45 minutes Zubar's header following a corner drew them level.

Brazil rarely looked fluid after that goal and although Roberto Firminho and Joao Miranda had chances to seal the win, Yann Sommer in the Swiss goal only had one difficult save to make.