Reports of Brazil’s revival, evidently, have been greatly exaggerated. The team that had been talked up as outstanding favourites for this World Cup instead just looked out of sorts: full of holes, and very far from the full product.

A defiant Switzerland deserve huge praise for coming from behind after Philippe Coutinho’s wonder goal to claim a 1-1 draw—Steven Zuber only adding to the sense of satisfaction by making up for his weak headed error with a thunderous headed equaliser -- but Vladimir Petkovic’s team arguably deserved more. They quickly realised there wasn’t actually much to this Brazil - in this match at least - and also brought a game that showed Neymar is going to have to very quickly realise this is a team sport.

He might not be fully fit, but that made it all the more questionable as to why Tite didn’t take him off, such was the wasteful self-indulgence of a ponderous personal performance. That played a significant part in an unconvincing team performance, but there was more to it than that. Or, if you like, less. Other than an admittedly strong opening spell, there was just none of the strength or ruthlessness that were supposed to be signature qualities of this new Brazil.

There were instead some old problems, not least a flakiness Tite was supposed to banish. That opening spell peaked with Coutinho’s stunning strike, but that was also the peak of Brazil’s entire performance, as it seemed to give way to complacency rather than the team properly taking command in the way they were supposed to. They just looked too pleased with themselves, something Switzerland were all too content to rectify with some robust play that Brazil often weren’t able to live with.

Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Brazil (top L-R) Brazil's defender Thiago Silva, defender Miranda, midfielder Paulinho, defender Danilo, goalkeeper Alisson ,(bottom L-R) forward Neymar, forward Willian, forward Gabriel Jesus, defender Marcelo, midfielder Casemiro and forward Philippe Coutinho pose for photographs before the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Brazil and Switzerland at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on June 17, 2018. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Alisson - 7 out of 10 Had little to do, and was unable to show the kind of form that’s meant he keeps Ederson out of the Brazilian goal. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Danilo - 7 Had little to do defensively, and will face tougher tests against more dangerous opposition. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Thiago Silva - 7 There’s still questions over the Brazilian defence, and Silva looked uncertain at times here, one of those to be out of position for the Swiss goal. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Miranda - 6 A mix up with Alisson in the first half didn’t fill the defender with confidence, and he should’ve been stronger for Zuber’s goal. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Marcelo - 7 As ever an attacking threat as much as a defender. Faced some pressure from Lichtsteiner but stood up to it well. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Paulinho - 7 Playing with plenty of confidence in this Brazilian team, and his balls set free the players in front of him on a couple of occasions. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Casemiro - 7 Pivotal in providing the balance for Brazil, he added to the attack as well as protecting the defence, subbed early for Fernandinho. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Philippe Coutinho - 8 His brilliant strike was the difference between the two sides in the first half, and looked the most likely to score throughout. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Willian - 7 Some promising moments and skill, without overly impressing. Needs to work on a final ball after beating his defender. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Gabriel Jesus - 6 Had little clear chances to work off, and was well marshalled by a physical Swiss defence. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Neymar Jr - 7 Felt the full force of the Switzerland defenders and was fouled continuously, looked frustrated and was guilty of taking on one too many Swiss players. FIFA via Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Switzerland ROSTOV-ON-DON, RUSSIA - JUNE 17, 2018: Switzerland's national football team - Fabian Schaer, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez, Haris Seferovic, Valon Behrami, Manuel Akanji, Yann Sommer (L-R back), and Steven Zuber, Blerim Dzemaili, Stephan Lichtensteiner, and Xherdan Shaqiri (L-R front) - pose for a photograph before the kick-off of a First Stage Group E football match between Brazil and Switzerland at Rostov Arena at FIFA World Cup Russia 2018. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS (Photo by Anton Novoderezhkin\TASS via Getty Images) Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Yann Sommer - 7 Could do nothing for Coutinho’s world class finish, and looked a reasonably safe pair of hands. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Stephan Lichtsteiner - 8 Isolated against Marcelo, Neymar and Coutinho down the Swiss right, but stood up to the challenge well. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Fabian Schär - 7 Earnt a yellow card as one of many to foul Neymar, but dealt well with the attacking talent on show. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Manuel Akanji - 7 Survived a half-hearted penalty shout from Gabriel Jesus, and that physical approach stood him in good stead against the forward. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Ricardo Rodriguez - 7 His strengths are with his attacking play, but spent much of the game defending against Willian. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Valon Behrami - 8 Superb first half, controlled midfield and frustrated Neymar whilst keeping on the right side of the referee. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Granit Xhaka - 6 Had a couple of passes go astray, and as one of the most talented figures in the Swiss camp, he will need to offer more. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri - 6 Isolated, and as ever did little to help his defenders by tracking back. One of the few Swiss that can turn a game in a moment, so will be excused for his laziness. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Blerim Dzemaili - 7 Offered some attacking intent going forward but missing a little bit of real talent, but his attacking teammates didn’t help. AFP/Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Steven Zuber - 7 Got the all-important goal for Switzerland to get them back in the game, but was quiet for the rest of it. Getty Images Brazil vs Switzerland: Player ratings Haris Seferovic - 6 Lacking quality and looked unlikely to score other than from a set piece with his height. Could pose problems with little striking options to pick from. Getty Images

Brazil might complain about two decisions that went against them - a Zuber push on Miranda and a potential Gabriel Jesus penalty - but they should look to themselves more than the ref. They just weren’t on it in any way.

That went against expectation, just like so much else in this game, other than the manner of Coutinho’s opener.

That Brazil squandered that advantage should be all the more frustrating, not least because such fragility will mean all the talk of the effects of that 7-1 will creep in that more, will become that bit more of an issue hanging over the team.

Philippe Coutinho bends in Brazil’s opener (Getty)

It became the platform for a show of Swiss resolve rather than Brazilian recovery, not to mention Zuber’s redemption.

In most situations and with most players, the Hoffenheim attacker would have been confident that his defensive header on 20 minutes was enough to buy a little space; give Switzerland that bit more safety. Coutinho isn’t most players, though, and a long-range shot from him isn’t most situations.

It’s become his showpiece.

This strike was again special, but just another of the type.

It was unfortunate his goal was not enough to win the game (Getty)

How often have we seen him score this exact type of goal, where he cuts in from the left and curls a shot that starts way outside the post and so beautifully comes in?

In fact, how often has he wasted such opportunities or missed the target when sizing up? They’ve become almost like a penalty for him. It was revealing in itself that this was his first attempt.

Long-range efforts in general have become something of a trend at this World Cup, as this was the seventh in 11 games, and they - rightfully - haven’t been accompanied by any talk about the flight of the ball.

You certainly couldn’t say that was the reason for Coutinho scoring such a strike.

Steven Zuber headed home the equaliser (Getty)

What you could say was that Brazil didn’t look the finished article in the manner that many had expected. There were long passages of play when they looked disconnected, and a lot of moments when evident flaws and gaping holes in the team presented themselves.

One of those was right in the centre of defence, and it should disturb Tite how easy it was for Switzerland to equalise.

Zuber making amends for his earlier error, and with another header, but one that Brazil made so much easier for him. The Hoffenheim attacker was almost completely free just outside the six-yard box to power in a Xherdan Shaqiri corner from close-range.

Brazil complained that the goal should have gone to VAR because of a push by Zuber on Miranda, but there really wasn’t much in it, like Brazil’s marking.

Neymar failed to find the winning goal (Getty)

More gallingly than anything, that pinpointed how Tite’s team were a much lighter touch than anyone expected, too.

There were more than a few moments when a newly assertive Swiss side were bullying them, and Neymar seemed to personify Brazil in this way. It’s possible - and probably likely - that the team will grow as he gradually regains full fitness, but he also looked more off it here than had been talked about pre-game. Sensing that, too, the Swiss made life even harder for him. Stephan Lichtseiner was booked for a nasty grapple at his neck, Valon Behrami followed for a foul, and there was one worrying moment in the second half when he was left hobbling.

Neymar wasn’t helping himself either, mind, or his team for that matter. There were just too many passages of play where he totally slowed down what had been quick counter-attacks by taking too way much out of the ball. It’s fair to wonder whether that is influenced by how he’s so indulged at Paris Saint-Germain, because he was much more incisive at Barcelona.

Miranda went close late on (Getty)

This also summed up Brazil, though. The force, pace and power that had been so talked up before this World Cup pretty much disappeared after around half an hour, extinguished by their own complacency after a convincing initial 20 minutes, and Switzerland’s realisation that there wasn’t much to them.

Tite still has a lot of work to do, and maybe a battle to finish top of the group.