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Brazil leave it late to see off Costa Rica

Brazil are no longer on their own at the top of the World Cup market after leaving it late to land a dramatic 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in a pulsating encounter in St Petersburg.

Tite's men headed into injury-time goalless before Philippe Coutinho broke Costa Rican hearts before Neymar doubled Brazil's advantage as the pre-match 3-13 favourites eventually landed the odds.

Most bookmakers rate them World Cup favourites, others prefer Spain, but the overall picture sees the duo locked together at 9-2 with La Roja clear market leaders before Coutinho slotted between Keylor Navas's legs to give Brazil a deserved victory.

It was Coutinho's second goal of the finals - he also opened the scoring in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Switzerland - and the Barcelona man is 22-1 to finish as the tournament's top goalscrer with Neymar at 20-1.

Neymar had suffered a frustrating afternoon before finishing off a cross from substitute Douglas Costa.

The world's most expensive footballer was initially awarded a second-half penalty which was overturned on VAR and also picked up a yellow card for dissent from referee Bjorn Kuipers.

Brazil remain on course for the last 16 and Argentina have been given a lifeline in Group D after Nigeria beat Iceland 2-0 thanks to a second-half double from Ahmed Musa, while Gylfi Sigurdsson missed a penalty for the losing side.

Croatia are through but it's all to play for elsewhere in the final round of matches with Nigeria, who meet Argentina, currently in second with three points.

However, an Argentinian win would see them leapfrog the Super Eagles and it would be enough for Jorge Sampaoli's side to reach the knockout phase as long as Iceland did not pick up maximum points in their clash with Croatia.

Victories for Argentina and Iceland would see goal difference come into play with the South Americans currently one goal inferior in that department.

Despite all the talk of Argentina's demise they are 8-11 with Paddy Power and Sky Bet to qualify for the last 16. Nigeria are 15-8 with Sky Bet and Iceland can be backed at 7-1 with Paddy Power.

Argentina have been cut to 22-1 from 35-1 to win the World Cup and France, who look set to meet the Group D runners-up, have drifted to 17-2 in the outright market.
 
 

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