The Switzerland and Arsenal defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has accused Neymar of continually 'falling down' in the nation's draw against Brazil and winning frequent free-kicks by diving.

Lichtsteiner was withdrawn after being booked for a challenge on the 26-year-old. Although the 34-year-old did not directly reference Neymar, the Brazil forward was fouled 10 times in the game, the most in a World Cup match since 1998.

When asked if he had been worried about getting a red on Sunday night, Lichtsteiner said: 'I was a little bit worried about the referee.

Stephan Lichtsteiner has accused Neymar of falling down during Sunday night's match

Lichtsteiner was eventually booked for a challenge on the Brazil forward in Rostov-on-Don

'Every time they fell down it was a whistle, a foul. This was a bit of a challenge. You think "don't be too aggressive" because every time they go down it's a foul. For that I was a bit careful.'

The foul count on Neymar was the most fouls on one player in the World Cup since Tunisia fouled Alan Shearer 11 times in 1998. No player representing Brazil has sustained more fouls in a single game since 1966.

But indignant Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic seemed to have a valid point when he said there was nothing overly physical about his team. The Swiss were not cynical with their challenges in the Rostov Arena.

Asked if his side were over the top against Neymar, Petkovic insisted: 'No, not at all. Most of the duals were won in a perfectly clean way. It was one of the key ingredients to neutralise him.'

And Lichtsteiner said the team - ranked sixth in world football - should not be characterized as physical. 'We are a mix, I think. We are physical, and we defend well, but we also attack. We showed that tonight.'

The Arsenal right-back insisted that his side were not overly physical during the match

The defender, one of Switzerland's most experienced internationals with 101 caps, said the little nation had shown that Neymar - who had not played a competitive match since breaking his right foot in February - could be neutralised.

'It was very good teamwork on the right side - [Valon] Behrami, [Fabian] Schar and me. It was almost a perfect game. It's important to have this teamwork in the next game because we'll have new situations.'

He said that playing the group's outstanding side before they had a 'feel' for the tournament was a big advantage for the Swiss. 'It's not easy for a big team in the first game,' Lichtsteiner observed.

'You don't have the feel [for the tournament] You've seen all the big teams in this tournament. Switzerland have a good team, so we got a good point.'

Philippe Coutinho insisted Neymar had not picked up any serious injury during the game

Though Neymar was seen hobbling as he left the stadium, man of the match Philippe Coutinho said that his countryman was not in any trouble, despite having seem to hurt the foot he broke when shooting early in the second half. 'He's fine. Fine,' the Barcelona player said.

Coutinho added: 'Obviously we wanted to come out winning the first game but the World Cup is like that. All of the teams are prepared well, and we have two more games where we will have to see what we need to improve in order to win.'

He said that the failure of any big team, bar France, to win so far in the opening games proved the tournament would be open. 'Oh, of course it's a World Cup,' Coutinho said. 'All of the teams are well prepared, they work hard to be well set up to be here, so it's difficult until the end.'

Asked if he was confident of finishing top of the group, he said: 'Well, the most important thing is just to qualify. That's above everything.'