SAINT PETERSBURG, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho expressed relief after his team struck two late goals to beat Costa Rica 2-0 in their World Cup Group E match here on Friday.
Despite dominating the match, Brazil did not breach Costa Rica's defence until Coutinho toe-poked home in the 91st minute at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Neymar made it 2-0 in the 97th minute with a close-range volley after Douglas Costa's assist from the right.
"It was very emotional," Coutinho told Brazil's TV Globo. "The game was very difficult. We were looking to shoot from outside the area. In the end we were rewarded for our performance as a group. Everybody ran and gave their all. We deserved the win."
The result left Brazil with four points from their first two matches after Coutinho also scored in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland last Sunday. The five-time world champions still need to win their final group match against Serbia to progress to the knockout stage without relying on other results.
"We were calm under pressure, then when the opportunity came we were able score," Brazil defender Miranda said. "We have to take it match by match and we'll be trying to win the next game."
