Brazil grab top spot in Group E with 2-0 win over Serbia

MOSCOW - Paulinho and Thiago Silva scored either side of halftime as Brazil secured top spot in World Cup Group E with a 2-0 victory over Serbia here.

Paulinho netted with a deft chip over goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic before Silva doubled the lead by heading in from a Neymar corner.

The result left Brazil with seven points from their three group matches, two points ahead of second-placed Switzerland, who also advanced to the round of 16. Serbia and Costa Rica were eliminated from Group E.

Brazil will now face Mexico in Samara on July 2 while the Swiss have been drawn against Sweden in Saint Petersburg the following day.