ROSTOV-ON-DON: Brazil did not have matters all their own way as they were held 1-1 by Switzerland in Rostov-on-Don in their return to the World Cup finals they ended in beaten chaos in front of their own fans four years ago.

The record five-times World Cup holders have a score to settle with the tournament after losing the 2014 by 7-1 to Germany and then the third place play-off by 3-0 to Holland.

They were the first nation to qualify to join hosts Russia at the finals and set off to a bright start when playmaker Philippe Coutinho put them ahead with a superb curling strike after Switzerland only half-cleared a left-wing cross from Marcelo.

Complacency then set in, however, and Brazil gifted Switzerland an equaliser five minutes into the second half by gifting Steven Zuber a free header into the net at a right-wing corner.

The last time Brazil failed to win their first mach at the finals was in 1978 in Argentina when they were held 1-1 by Sweden.

They are now one game away from equalling their longest winless streak in the World Cup – a run of four matches without victory spanning the 1974 and 1978 tournaments.

After drawing 1-1 with the Swiss in their Group E opener, Brazil will have to beat Costa Rica on Friday if they want to avoid matching the 1970s barren run.

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