Brazil 2 Mexico 0
For me, this Brazil team plays like a good Champions League side.
It has shape, compactness and, especially, patience.
They want to go the distance in the tournament, so they save something for the next match. They don’t expect to concede and as long as they don’t concede, they can take their time about scoring.
Experienced pros who know how to do just enough, they all play for Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Roma, Inter and PSG.
Neymar flickers, prances and dives, then produces.
The team’s style is geared to supplying Neymar with passes from which he can attack the left side of the penalty area.
Neymar scored in 51 and tried to make it 2-0 in 88 but his toepoke hit the keeper’s boot and gave newly-arrived substitute Roberto Firmino a tap–in for 2-0.
With Firmino being such a good header of the ball, I thought coach Tite had brought him on mainly to help defend set-pieces at the other end.
Bottom line :This Brazil team do not concede many goals.
Really enjoyed seeing the two-footed Willian, one of my favourite players, become so influential in the second half.
With bruiser Casemiro suspended for the next game, Manchester City’s Fernandinho will come in. That will give the team even more class and experience.
Marcelo has apparently recovered from his back spasm but they are being careful with him. His strong personality adds a lot to their left-sided attack and he is a productive playmaker.
Maybe Tite will bring Marcelo back for the semi-final and give the team a huge boost at a crucial moment.
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BRAZIL: Alisson, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Paulinho, Casemiro, Willian, Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus.
Subs: Cassio, Pedro Geromel, Renato Augusto, Marcelo, Marquinhos, Danilo, Fernandinho, Fred, Firmino, Taison, Ederson.
MEXICO: Ochoa, Alvarez, Ayala, Salcedo, Gallardo, Herrera, Marquez, Guardado, Vela, Hernandez, Lozano.
Subs: Jose de Jesus Corona, Gutierrez, Jonathan, Layun, Fabian, Jimenez, Giovani, Jesus Corona, Peralta, Aquino, Talavera.
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy)
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