Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Brazil marches on to the World Cup 2018 quarter finals after an eye-catching display from Neymar, scoring one goal and making the other in a 2-0 win over Mexico.
It was a typical showing from the PSG man who, like his team, had quiet spells but popped up with two touches of class; and that was more than enough.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi already preparing to watch the latter stages of the World Cup on the telly at home, the vultures were circling the scorching Samara Arena, wondering if Neymar would be the next big name to crash out. World Cup 2018 odds suggested they’d have to wait though, with Brazil as well backed second favourites, at 5.10 before a ball was kicked today.
And Neymar made pretty damn sure the vultures would go hungry.
Highlights of the game
Juan Carlos Osorio’s Mexico looked so bright in their first two games; before being thumped 3-0 by Sweden, and the head coach was determined his side should come out on the attack. And so they did in the opening minutes to give Brazil a warning, keeper Alisson stretched to punch Andres Guardado’s cross but it landed at the feet of Hirving Lozano who saw his first time shot charged down.
Then Lozano nearly turned provider, beating Filipe Luis and almost finding Javier Hernandez at the far post. Hernandez looked like he’d had a fright in the tunnel when he had emerged with peroxide white hair! But as El Tri played a high intensity pressing game his pace was giving Brazil some early scares.
But the favourites gradually got into their stride and Neymar came close on 25 minutes only to be denied by the excellent Guillermo Ochoa with a brave save. Ochoa was soon called on again to parry a fierce shot from Gabriel Jesus, and Mexico was pleased to hear the half-time whistle.
Brazil came out firing in the second half and after Neymar won a corner, the El Tri defence was half asleep as Philippe Coutinho had time to run into space and bring Ochoa into action again with a well struck effort. But there was nothing the keeper could do after a clever Brazil move started by a Neymar back heel before the striker sprinted into the six yard box to get on the end of Willian’s cross.
Paulinho almost made it two, firing a rocket towards the top corner but Ochoa saved again and then, at the other end Alisson tipped over a 25 yard effort from Carlos Vela. But Ochoa was by far the busier, saving a fierce drive from Willian.
There was no lack of energy or intent in Mexico’s play but it just didn’t happen for them as Brazil played out time in some comfort, and a second goal came late on, after an electrifying run down the right from Neymar and when Ochoa got a foot to his shot, substitute Roberto Firmino had an easy task to tap home.
Key statistics
Brazil has won 24 out of 41 meetings with Mexico now, but El Tri came into this match as the team which has beaten the Samba Boys more than any other this century; but still never at a World Cup.
They drew 0-0 at the Group Stages four years ago in Brazil and that was one of only two draws in the last 16 meetings, with Mexico winning seven and Brazil six.
Brazil has made the last eight seven times in a row, but Mexico’s last quarter-final was back in 1986, El Tri has faltered at this stage seven tournaments in a row…frustrating!
Tite’s Selecao has had seven clean sheets from eight in 2018 and conceding only one goal, against Switzerland, so it’s not all about attack, any team trying to beat them has more than one headache.
But defensive midfielder Casemiro’s yellow card means he’s unavailable for the quarter final.
What’s next?
We’ve seen some stunning World Cup 2018 results from the very start of the tournament and that all means that Brazil’s path to glory is smoothing by the day.
The Samba Boys looked like they were clicking nicely into gear in their final Group E game against Serbia and they won comfortably here against a very dangerous Mexico side. Now they will play the winner of Belgium against Japan, at the 45,000 capacity Kazan Arena, Friday evening Russia time; and it’s going to be bouncing!
Look out for the quarter final SBOBET tips, the great games just keep on coming and when the Samba Boys are back in action, we’ll be there!
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