Brazil eliminated Serbia and secured their place in the second round of the World Cup after a comfortable 2-0 victory in Moscow
Brazil were at risk of becoming the second World Cup heavyweight to crash out on Wednesday following Germany's shock exit, but Paulinho's lob settled the nerves on 36 minutes and Thiago Silva's second-half header (68) confirmed their passage as Group E winners
The victory means Tite's side will play Mexico in Samara on Monday afternoon and could then potentially face the winner of England's group in a quarter-final
Serbia will fly home after picking up only three points in Group E with Switzerland joining Brazil in the last 16 following their 2-2 draw with Costa Rica
Gabriel Jesus had already forced a close-range block from Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic when Marcelo limped off the field after a back spasm on 10 minutes, but the early setback did not prevent Brazil seizing control of Group E nine minutes before half-time
Philippe Coutinho was the architect in central midfield, lofting a long ball into the path of Paulinho who broke the offside trap and let the ball bounce once before lifting it over the onrushing Stojkovic into the goal
Serbia needed to win to qualify and rocked their opponents with a flurry of second-half chances
 After Miranda had almost steered an Adem Ljajic ball into his own net, Aleksandar Mitrovic missed with two headers, the first striking Thiago Silva after Alisson's flap and the second straight at the goalkeeper from close range
Those misses were promptly punished in the 68th minute when Neymar sent in a corner from the left and Thiago Silva rose at the front post to beat Nikola Milenkovic to the ball and power home a header
The goal burst Serbia's momentum and the only question in the closing stages was whether Neymar would get on the scoresheet
 He bounced a Willian cross over the bar and Stojkovic swatted away a late effort as Brazil's talisman was frustrated
Stojkovic recovered to deny him once more in stoppage time and despite his individual disappointment, the five-time World Cup winners can now celebrate qualification for the knock-out stage with Serbia left to rue the controversial late defeat to Switzerland in their second match that proved so costly
This was a comfortable evening for Brazil and while much of their attacking play inevitably revolved around Neymar - who failed with three late opportunities - the star man, as he has been for much of the World Cup, was Coutinho
 His brilliant ball for Paulinho created the opening goal and his wise passing from the middle of the park ensured his team was always in control of this game
Brazil will play Mexico in Samara on Monday afternoon (3pm kick-off), while Switzerland travel to St Petersburg to face Sweden on Tuesday afternoon (3pm kick-off)
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