But he finally found the net in the 97th minute to double Brazil's lead and make the three points safe. After celebrating that moment wildly, he started to cry when the final whistle went.
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It was clearly a mixture of relief and a sign of the pressure he’s been feeling with a nation’s hopes resting on his shoulders.
45 minutes to forget for Willian
EPA
No footballer likes being substituted early in a game but Willian could have few complaints at the Saint Petersburg Stadium this afternoon.
Coach Tite decided to take Willian off at the break and replace him with Douglas Costa after Brazil put in a sluggish opening 45 minutes.
The Chelsea winger didn’t look happy as the TV cameras focused on his face as he took his place on the bench.
However, there was little sign of the kind of intensity and purpose he usually shows at Stamford Bridge.
On too many occasions he stood out wide on the right flank and did little to threaten Costa Rica’s goal.
There was the occasional dribble inside, but on most occasions he took the easy option to pass to a team-mate standing a few yards away.
He was not the only reason why Brazil looked so lethargic in the first half, but Tite made the right call given how much better his side looked afterwards.
Do Real Madrid really need a new keeper?
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Not on this showing as their current first choice, Keylor Navas, was key to Costa Rica keeping Brazil score-less until injury time.
It is not as if he was peppered with great shots by the Brazilians, but he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to deny them.
Navas’ handling was assured when efforts from range came his way and as Neymar looked certain to find the net, he tipped the ball impressively over the bar.
The display was all the more significant with Alisson standing in between the posts for Brazil at the other end.
AP
He is the one most craved to replace Navas at the Berabeu, with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois the back-up option should the deal break down.
But given Navas has played in three successive Champions League final victories for the La Liga giants, one wonders why they need to spend a fortune on someone else on this evidence.
He certainly couldn’t be blamed for the two goals that did go in right at the death.
Coutinho is Brazil’s star man so far
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With a stunning goal against Switzerland to celebrate already, Coutinho started where he left off here and provided the key first goal to break Costa Rica's hearts.
Neymar was supposed to be the man to provide the inspiration for this side and yet it was the former Liverpool man that provided the main spark.
The attacking midfielder oozed confidence and class, his every touch causing panic in their opponents defence.
He made his intentions very clear from the outset by sending a fierce shot from just outside the area narrowly over the bar.
As Brazil laboured, he tried to make things happen. One fine 40 yard pass should have led to a goal, only for Neymar to not take advantage.
The Barcelona sensation was unlucky not to open the early scoring in the second half, but his effort was deflected wide by Cristan Gamboa.
However he was the first to react in injury time when Gabriel Jesus miscontrolled and he steered the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Costa Rica’s great work-rate all to no avail
EPA
After losing to Serbia in their opening game, Costa Rica needed to hang on for a point here to stay in the World Cup.
Against much more fancied opposition, Costa Rica ran tirelessly for 90 minutes to keep them at bay.
Time and time again, a man in a white shirt seemed to be putting in a tackle or blocking shots and crosses.
Some of their antics weren’t great on the eye - it was clear that they were taking a physical approach to the Brazil players.
The closer full-time approached, the more often their players resorted to milking injuries and staying down for treatment.
But as the underdogs who can blame them? It definitely knocked Brazil off their stride, yet it was all for nothing.
