Five time World Champions Brazil put up a dominant display against an indecisive Mexican team to progress into the last eight of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
A goal and an assist from golden boy Neymar Jnr. in the second half of the game helped the Selecao ease past Mexico at the Samara Arena in Russia.
Despite being in control of the game early on Mexico failed to punish the lacklustre Brazilians who barely troubled them. The difference however was, when Brazil grew into the game they attacked with intent and purpose as Ochoa had to make a couple of saves late in the first half to keep the score goalless at the break.
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The Mexicans came into the second half with an early change to gain control of the midfield with 39 year-old Raphael Marquez going off for Layun.
The substitution made no difference as the Brazilians picked up form where they left off in the first half. Neymar struck in the 51st minute to give Brazil the lead few minutes after the Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa denied Phillipe Coutinho.
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Neymar and Willian who provided the assist for the goal were the brightest in attack for the Samba boys as the Chelsea winger ran the Mexican defence rugged during the second period.
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Mexico had their chances but lacked the vital pass in the final third to split the Brazilian defence open and this was their undoing for the entirety of the game, despite Lozano and Carlos Vela constituting themselves a nuisance to the Brazilian defence.
The opposite was the story for Brazil who soon scored a second goal through 86th minute substitute, Roberto Firmino. A blistering counter attacking move saw another substitute, Fernandinho release Neymar who put in a well timed low cross for Firmino to tap into an empty net.
This defeat makes it Mexico’s seventh successive round of 16 exit at the FIFA World Cup as Brazil await the winner of the tie between Belgium and Japan.
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