Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez has defended the conservative tactics employed by his team during Friday's 2-0 defeat to Brazil at the World Cup.

The Central Americans kept the score goalless in St Petersburg until stoppage time, when Philippe Coutinho broke the deadlock.

Neymar then made sure of the outcome six minutes later as Costa Rica crashed out of the competition with two defeats in their opening two games.

"I don't know what else we could have done," Ramirez told reporters at full time.

"What we did I think was perfect. You have to think we were playing against the second best team in the world. They have great players.

"Considering what I have at my disposal and what they have, I think it is reasonable what we did."

Costa Rica are now winless in their last five World Cup matches.