2nd July, 2018
Photo: BBC
Second-half goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino saw Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals in Samara on Tuesday.
The world’s most expensive player opened the scoring six minutes into the second half after excellent approach play by Willian, the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s sixth goal in World Cup history.
Substitute Firmino wrapped up the win with a simple last-minute finish as Tite’s side advanced to their seventh straight World Cup quarter-final, where they will face either Japan or Belgium in Kazan on Friday night.
After Mexico had spurned an early half chance when Miranda got in the way of Hirving Lozano’s goalbound strike, it was Brazil who then created the better openings before the break, Sky Sports reports.
Midway through the first period Neymar’s quick feet saw the playmaker get free to the left-hand byline, only for Guillermo Ochoa to save the day for Mexico by making an excellent block with his legs.
Twelve minutes before half-time and Gabriel Jesus worked himself some space in the area, but shot too close to Ochoa, before Jesus Gallardo was on hand to clear the Manchester City forward’s follow-up shot off the line.
With Brazil appearing to gain the upper hand as the first half wore on, Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio opted to bring on fresh legs in the form of Miguel Layun, who replaced Rafael Marquez.
The Mexico captain, at 39 years and 139 days, had become the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup knockout match since Stanley Matthews in 1954 for England against Uruguay.
Not that the switch slowed down the five-time world champions, though, with Coutinho almost breaking the deadlock three minutes into the second half with a well-struck effort that Ochoa was forced to beat clear to safety.
Minutes later, however, Brazil did make the breakthrough after a lovely team goal involving Neymar, whose impudent back heel released Willian down the left side of the area.
The Chelsea forward’s low driven cross across the six-yard box was touched home from close range by Neymar for his 57th international goal.
Brazil could have added further goals thereafter, only for the increasingly busy Ochoa to deny both Paulinho and Willian with smart stops.
Meanwhile, Layun was also lucky to escape a red card after stamping on Neymar’s ankle 19 minutes from time, but the referee decided not to take any action against the former Watford defender.
However, Brazil did manage to double their score late on when Neymar broke the offside trap, before squaring for Firmino to tap home from two yards out.