Sports Briefs
BRAZIL beat Mexico 2-0 to qualify for World Cup quarter-finals. Second-half goals from Neymar and Roberto Firmino have earned Brazil a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Monday’s World Cup last-16 tie in Samara.
After a goalless first half, Neymar soon gave Brazil the lead before substitute Firmino put the game out of Mexico’s reach during the closing stages.
Tite’s team progress through to the quarter-finals where they will face the winner’s of the tie between Belgium and Japan.
Just five minutes had passed before Neymar got his first shot away – a 30-yard strike which was palmed away by Guillermo Ochoa – but it was Mexico who had the better of the opening stages and troubled Brazil’s backline with their movement and intensity.
However, their spell of pressure passed without Alisson being tested and Brazil soon began to dominate possession as Mexico reverted to defending deep and hope for opportunities to launch a counter-attack.
Neymar went close in the 25th minute as the attacker drifted past Edison Alvarez before seeing a shot blocked by Ochoa, while Gabriel Jesus was not too far away with a left-footed volley inside of the area.
The Manchester City forward then saw another effort saved after moving past two Mexico defenders and before the first half had come to a close, Neymar had drilled a 30-yard free kick marginally off target.
After the restart, both teams showed their intent to break the deadlock with Philippe Coutinho being superbly denied by Ochoa and Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo advancing from the halfway line before curling over the crossbar from distance.
Moments later, Brazil went in front. Neymar started the move by playing in Willian, who advanced into the penalty area before delivering a low cross to the back post where Neymar was able to slide in and convert from three yards.
Brazil quickly looked for a second but Ochoa was keeping Mexico in the game, firstly keeping out a first-time strike from Paulinho from 12 yards after good work from Fagner before then tipping a fizzing effort from Willian over the crossbar.
Up the other end, Hirving Lozano had a shot diverted by Alisson but as the game head into the final 10 minutes, that was as good as it got for Juan Carlos Osorio’s team in the final third.
Their frustration continued into the closing stages and Brazil made sure of victory with two minutes of normal time remaining as Firmino tapped home from close range after Neymar’s toe-poke had been saved by Ochoa. (AFP/sportsmole)
– Jul. 2, 2018 @ 17:29 GMT |
Tags: Brazil vs Mexico: Neymar Firmino seal Mexico’s World Cup doom with 2-0
