Brazil 2 Mexico 0: Neymar and Roberto Firmino strike as Tite’s side make World Cup history with most goals in tournament ever
Samba boys will come up against Belgium or Japan in the quarter-finals of the competition
SO MANY stars have already gone but one is starting to shine - Neymar.
The Brazilian on whose shoulders sits so much pressure and expectation is finding the form that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents.
Mexico tried to rough him up, tried to kick him out the game but he would not be denied.
This was his best game so far at the tournament topped by the winning goal on 51 minutes.
It was absolutely sweltering in the Samara Arena for this game with the temperature measured at 38 degrees with not a breath of breeze.
The atmosphere was red hot too with a huge noise coming from both sets of fans.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez called this meeting ‘the game our lives’ as they tried to end a heartbreaking run of six consecutive last 16 exits at a World Cup.
Brazil’s designs of course went further than that with a sixth crown in their sights.
It wasn’t going to be easy getting past this stage against a determined Mexico side who set off like they meant business.
They wasted a great chance too in the 22nd minute when Hirving Lozano crossed from the left and found Hector Herrera just inside the box.
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The ball was begging to be hit first time, but Herrera took a touch allowing vital time for him to be closed down by Casemiro who blocked his eventual shot.
Neymar was operating on the fringes of the game wide on the left but in a flash his genius was seen on 25 minutes.
A sudden burst of speed, a swing of the hips and drop of the shoulder and he had left to Mexican’s chasing shadows as he tore in on goal and his near post shot was well saved.
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus was looking sharp too and when he sped through the area on it needed another good save from Guillermo Ochoa to keep the teams level at the break.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio made a switch at half time bringing on Miguel Layun to play at right back while he moved Edson Alvarez into a defensive midfield role and took skipper Marquez off.
Brazil were immediately on the offensive from the restart with Neymar looking sharp.
It was his quick corner that caught out the Mexican defence as he played it short to Philippe Countinho who made his way across the box and found a gap to shoot through with Ochoa the saviour again for Brazil.
Then in 51st came the goal and what a goal
Neymar took four Mexico players with him as he ran along the top of the 18 yard box, then his quick back heel sent the play the other way to Willian.
The Chelsea wide man who had been excellent all game took off into the box and crossed into the six yard area where Neymar reappeared to slide the ball in from close range.
He almost had a second on 68 minutes with Willian once more providing the assist but his shot was deflected wide.
He was clearly starting to irritate the Mexicans who became increasingly rough with him.
At one point Layun deliberately stood on the prone stars ankle off the pitch as he went to retrieve the ball but somehow got away with it.
Accidental? I don’t think so.
He had the perfect response as he created the second goal two minutes form time.
Fernandinho set him free and nobody was stopping him.
Storming into the box he poked the ball past the advancing Ochoa and into the six yard box where Roberto Firmino, who had only been on the pitch two minutes, stabbed home.
