World Cup report

Brazil struggled without Neymar at the World Cup on Monday. Still, the five-time champions played well enough to secure a spot in the next stage.

Brazil overcame the absence of its injured star to beat Switzerland, 1-0, in Doha, Qatar, and make it to the round of 16 with a match to spare in Group G. Casemiro scored in the 83rd minute to break the deadlock in a game in which Brazil had difficulties creating scoring chances without its main playmaker.

“We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. We had to be patient,” Casemiro said. “Out first objective was to advance and we achieved that.”

Neymar stayed at the team’s hotel treating a right ankle injury sustained in the opener in Qatar. Team doctors have not yet given a timetable on his return — or said if he will return at all.

“We know that Neymar is a great player and that he makes a difference,” Brazil defender Marquinhos said. “In difficult moments he takes on the responsibility and creates the opportunities, but we showed once again that we have quality players to make up for his absence.”

The win gave Brazil six points from two matches, leaving Switzerland with three. Serbia and Cameroon, which drew, 3-3, earlier Monday, have a point each.

Switzerland, which had no attempts on target, needs a win in the last match against Serbia to guarantee its spot in the next stage. A draw may be enough depending on the match between Brazil and Cameroon.

The result extended Brazil’s unbeaten run in the group stage to 17 matches, with 14 wins and three draws. It has lost only one of its last 29 group games, with the last defeat coming against Norway in 1998 in France. Switzerland had lost only two of its last 13 group matches at the World Cup.

Portugal 2, Uruguay 0

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he scored but the goal was eventually credited to Bruno Fernandes in Portugal’s  win over Uruguay in Lusail, Qatar, a result that secured the team a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Fernandes curled in a cross from the left that barely went over the head of Ronaldo and bounced into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead. Ronaldo wheeled away in celebration, believing he had scored his ninth World Cup goal and second of this year’s tournament. After repeated close-up replays, it was awarded to Fernandes, who added a second goal from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a hand ball by Jose Maria Gimenez.

It was a second straight victory for Portugal, which became the third team to reach the last 16 after France and Brazil. Uruguay has one point from two matches and needs to beat Ghana on Friday to stand a chance of advancing.

Ghana 3, South Korea 2

Mohammed Kudus said there wasn’t much difference between the way Ghana played in its opening World Cup match against Portugal or its second game against South Korea. Except the result, of course.

Kudus scored twice, including the go-ahead goal after the South Koreans evened the match in the second half, and Ghana staved off elimination with a victory on Monday in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Mohammed Salisu also scored for the Black Stars, who were disappointed after a close 3-2 opening loss to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal and were in need of points against South Korea for a chance to reach the knockout round.

Down 2-0, Cho Gue-sung scored both of South Korea’s goals about three minutes apart early in the second half to even the game at 2-2. But Kudus’ low left-footed goal in the 68th minute sailed out of the reach of goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to give the Black Stars back the lead. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi preserved the victory with a leaping save off Cho’s attempt in stoppage time.

Cameroon 3, Serbia 3

Substitute Vincent Aboubakar scored one goal and created another as Cameroon rallied from 3-1 down to draw with Serbia in Al Wakrah, Qatar. He lobbed goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in the 64th minute and then set up striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting two minutes later. The thrilling draw was the first game at the World Cup in Qatar in which both teams gave up a lead.