Brazil danced their way into the last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Serbia in the final Group E game at the Spartak stadium in Russia.

Paulinho opened the scoring with a little loop over the head of the Serbian goalkeeper in the first half before Thiago put the game beyond the reach of the Serbians in the second half with a powerful header.

It was not the optimum performance of a Brazilian side tipped to win the tournament but it was a side that looked promising, exciting and entertaining, completely different from the side that laboured against Switzerland and Costa Rica in the opening two games.

If they were entertaining, the PSG man with coloured hair was at his usual best teasing the Serbian defence with his skill and pace on the left but wasted too many great opportunities in the end.

With the biggest South Korea upset against Germany, in the day’s first game, Brazil had all to do if they were to avoid an embarrassing exit like the former champions.

A draw would just be enough for the Selacao to book the last round of 16 but they were not ready to take any chances. An injury to Marcelo in the early ten minutes of the game was a blow but the Selacao recovered with Neymar playing a central role.

When Neymar decides to play, Brazil plays well and that was the story at the Spartak stadium. Brazil started the game with a sense of urgency and looked a lot more enterprising than they did against Switzerland and Costa Rica.

The PSG man forced a fingertip save from the Serbian goalkeeper with his feeble strike inside the six-yard box 22 minutes into play before Jesus blew yet another glorious opportunity after dummying well two minutes later.

The Manchester City man kept his composure in the final third but his last touch let him down.

In the 33^rd minute, however, Serbia came close to scoring but Mitrovic’s left volley was awkwardly executed and skied miles away from the post.

Brazil made their possession and dominance count and it was Paulinho who opened the account after latching onto an inch-perfect Coutinho pass to put the Brazilians ahead in the 35^th minute with a little loop over the approaching Stojkovic.

Neymar could have increased the tally before the break but his lovely little curl inched just wide off the post.

In the second half, Brazil were in control and didn’t look like taking their legs off the pedal as Neymar and Coutinho combined well for the Selecao but didn't quite turn their attacks into goals.

It was nervy moments for the Selecao when in a momentary loss of concentration in the Selacao defence, a Miranda clearance nearly entered his own net in the 55^th minute. It was completely against the run of play but in a quick break of light, the Brazilians turned defence into attack with the two suspects - Coutinho and Neymar - at the best.

The last pass from Coutinho from the quick build-up was a little too heavy for Neymar who had to struggle with a left foot strike which ricocheted a Serbia body for a corner.

But Brazil would heave a heavy sigh of relief in the 60^th minute when Alisson parried a cross into the path of Mitrovic but the Serbian striker’s goal-bound header went off the body of Thiago and into the waiting arms of Alisson.

The Newcastle United striker later towered above Fagner in the six-yard box but failed to direct his header for what would have been the equalizer.

The Serbians were streaming forward in their numbers in a lunge for an equalizer but it was the Brazilians who put the game beyond with a powerful Thiago header from a Neymar corner in the 66^th minute.

Neymar could have increased the tally for the Brazilians with some decent chances later on but the former Barcelona was a little too anxious in front of goal.

When Alireza Faghani blew his whistle for the end of the game it was Brazil who set up a last 16 bout with Mexico with Switzerland who were held to a 2-2 drawn game in the other Group E game, playing Sweden later in the round of 16.