In an exciting match between the two Latin American countries at the Samara Stadium, Brazil prevailed over Mexico 2-0 to coast into the QF of this World Cup.
In one of the oldest rivalries in football, the two teams met for the 41st time in history & 5th time in World Cup. Mexico had started their campaign this time, by causing one of the biggest upsets, in defeating current World Champions, Germany, which earned them the status of 'giant killers'. However, the gritty El Tri Mexicans, playing a familiar 4-3-3 formation, could not quite conjure up the same game plan against the men in yellow. Despite dominating the proceedings for the first 20-25 minutes of the game, & creating a few half chances in the opponents box, Mexico never really threatened the defensive core of Brazil, who defended doggedly, as their midfield gradually took over the controls. After a barren first half, it was a more purposeful Brazil, with Neymar, Willian, Coutinho & Jesus combining well & slicing through the Mexican defence with relative ease. In the 51st minute, Neymar played a lovely wall with Willian, who surged into the left through the defenders & drove across the face of the goal over the outstretched palms of goalkeeper Ochoa, as an onrushing Neymar stabbed the ball into the net, 1-0. The Selecao contingent across the stadium erupted in joy, as Neymar ran to the sidelines to celebrate the goal, with his teammates.
Brazil kept up the pressure & dominated the proceedings thereafter, as the tiring Mexicans ran their heart out across the turf in search of an equaliser. In the final minutes of the game, Neymar once again burst into the Mexican defence & fired a shot that was partially parried by the goalkeeper, but a chasing Roberto Firmino, who had just come in place of Coutinho, tapped the ball in gleefully to seal the fate of the game, 2-0. It was heartbreak for Mexico, as they failed yet again to cross the round of 16, in a World Cup. For Brazil, dependable midfielder Casemero, will miss the next match owing to yellow card, causing some problems for Coach Tite's formations.
For all its attacking traditions over the years, this Brazilian team, under the inventive Coach Tite, has a well galvanised restrain, that keeps them in check throughout the game. They never seem to cut loose, after scoring a goal, & prefer to stay back & defend grimly, with everyone chipping in, while slowing the game. They wait to control & then make sudden bursts into the opponents box, catching them napping to score. There has to be special mention of Mexican goalkeeper, Ochoa, who made multiple brilliant saves today to keep his side in the contest, but in the end, it was the brilliance of Samba Football that prevailed.
Brazil, now await the winners of Belgium & Japan in the QF.
In one of the oldest rivalries in football, the two teams met for the 41st time in history & 5th time in World Cup. Mexico had started their campaign this time, by causing one of the biggest upsets, in defeating current World Champions, Germany, which earned them the status of 'giant killers'. However, the gritty El Tri Mexicans, playing a familiar 4-3-3 formation, could not quite conjure up the same game plan against the men in yellow. Despite dominating the proceedings for the first 20-25 minutes of the game, & creating a few half chances in the opponents box, Mexico never really threatened the defensive core of Brazil, who defended doggedly, as their midfield gradually took over the controls. After a barren first half, it was a more purposeful Brazil, with Neymar, Willian, Coutinho & Jesus combining well & slicing through the Mexican defence with relative ease. In the 51st minute, Neymar played a lovely wall with Willian, who surged into the left through the defenders & drove across the face of the goal over the outstretched palms of goalkeeper Ochoa, as an onrushing Neymar stabbed the ball into the net, 1-0. The Selecao contingent across the stadium erupted in joy, as Neymar ran to the sidelines to celebrate the goal, with his teammates.
Brazil kept up the pressure & dominated the proceedings thereafter, as the tiring Mexicans ran their heart out across the turf in search of an equaliser. In the final minutes of the game, Neymar once again burst into the Mexican defence & fired a shot that was partially parried by the goalkeeper, but a chasing Roberto Firmino, who had just come in place of Coutinho, tapped the ball in gleefully to seal the fate of the game, 2-0. It was heartbreak for Mexico, as they failed yet again to cross the round of 16, in a World Cup. For Brazil, dependable midfielder Casemero, will miss the next match owing to yellow card, causing some problems for Coach Tite's formations.
For all its attacking traditions over the years, this Brazilian team, under the inventive Coach Tite, has a well galvanised restrain, that keeps them in check throughout the game. They never seem to cut loose, after scoring a goal, & prefer to stay back & defend grimly, with everyone chipping in, while slowing the game. They wait to control & then make sudden bursts into the opponents box, catching them napping to score. There has to be special mention of Mexican goalkeeper, Ochoa, who made multiple brilliant saves today to keep his side in the contest, but in the end, it was the brilliance of Samba Football that prevailed.
Brazil, now await the winners of Belgium & Japan in the QF.
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