Brazil showed its supremacy as it eliminated Mexico 2-0 on Monday, July 2 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Samara Arena.
Neymar Jr. and Roberto Firmino provided goals for Brazil who will be taking on either Japan or Belgium in the quarterfinals. With the loss, Mexico has now failed to make it past the Round of 16 for seven straight World Cup tournaments.
Brilliant Play By Neymar But Mexico Coach Criticize
Mexico controlled the ball possession in the first 20 minutes of action as the team made every effort to break the defensive wall of Brazil. However, Neymar tipped the scales in the 25th-minute after he faked two defenders before unleashing a shot that was fingertips away from resulting in a goal.
After failed attempts in the opening half, the Selecao pushed the tempo as Philippe Coutinho created a scoring opportunity in the 48th-minute, but his attempt was saved by Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. With the save, the Mexican goal stopper became the first goalkeeper in this year's World Cup to have 20 or more saves.
Neymar broke the drought three minutes later as he converted a goal in the 51st-minute off a picture-perfect pass from Willian to put the Brazilians on top 1-0. Brazil tried to put the game away early, but Neymar's shot from a distance went wide.
The Mexicans had a chance to tie the game courtesy of Hector Herrera but his shot was cleared out safely by two Brazilian defenders. It proved to be the last clear opportunity for the Mexicans to make a goal as Brazil slowed the game down in the next minutes.
Following a back-and-forth sequence, Neymar got another chance, but he went down before he could fire a shot. A frustrated Neymar immediately begged the referee for a foul stating the words "Do you know who I am? I'm Neymar" in the process.
Moments later, Neymar was treated on the side of the field after Mexican midfielder Miguel Layon stomped on his ankle. Mexican head coach Juan Carlos Osorio was frustrated with Neymar's actions and called the Brazilian star as an embarrassment to football.
"This should be a sport of ability, of determination, a game of men, not so much of clowning," Osorio said.
Brazil wasn't done yet as Neymar made a stellar pass to Firminho who buried a goal in the 88th-minute to seal the game. Despite the loss, the Mexicans still put up a great fight in the tournament as it beat the defending champions Germany early in the competition.
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