Brazil 2-0 Mexico
The noise from the Brazilian supporters was incredible as the hosts of the Confederations Cup continued on their path to the semi finals with a hard fought victory over Mexico. The Gold Cup winners hopes now lay shattered after defeats to Brazil and Italy, while the Brazilians seem to get better with every game.
The Mexicans went into the match confident of a result after a good display against the Italians, but right from the kick-off they were never really attacking Brazil like we know they can. Maybe the team selection sent out the wrong message- with defenders Mier and Torres brought in- but overall it seems they were shellshocked by Brazil's opening goal.
Of course, it was a sublime volley from Neymar which deflated Mexico. Another goal from the top drawer from the tricky forward as he struck from just inside the box after Rodriguez could only head Dani Alves's cross straight into the Barcelona new boy's path. Superb technique. His goal in the first game against Japan was amazing in its execution, and this was just as good. Neymar is very much the real deal. The confidence to take it first time, and the ability to pull it off is just astounding. It appears that the massive pressure on him to deliver for his country is just water off a ducks back to this very special young player. I've never seen a player so accomplished who is yet to play in Europe; the hype is well and truly justified.
Brazil's full-backs were very attack minded in the first half and their overlapping runs caused Mexico no end of problems, as they had no idea who to mark. This sort of indecision led to chances being created for Fred and Oscar in the first ten minutes, While Paulinho had a lot of joy with his driving runs from deep.
Not much time had passed when Dani Alves sensed that Jose Corona was off his line and tried his luck with an exquisite 20-yard chip which the Mexico keeper just about tipped over at the far post. Mexico were being hammered but after 20 minutes they finally got a reasonable chance when right back Hiram Mier fired a low shot just wide, after a mix up between Marcelo and Paulinho let him in. But Brazil were not done for the half and the electric Neymar hit over after a swift break.
The second half followed a very different pattern as Mexico came into the game and Brazil defended deeper. Carlos Salcido had a couple of decent efforts from range. Giovani Dos Santos began to find some space and was the one causing problems for Brazil. The former Spurs man, always Mexico's brightest player, made some good runs down the right, dribbling with his precise left foot. He had two efforts blocked by the defence before linking up with Torrado to play Javier Hernandez in, but David Luiz just stopped the Manchester United striker shooting, with a well timed sliding tackle.
Brazil were always a threat on the counter however and Hulk blazed wide when he should have scored after a flowing move. The big striker was put through on goal by Neymar's wonderful cushioned ball but fired his shot into the side-netting. You have to ask - does Hulk really have the class to play in this side? That debate will rage on, meanwhile Neymar was still being cheered to the rafters each and every time he touched the ball. He went on a mazy run that ended with Dani Alves just failing to connect with Brazil's star man wonderful whipped through ball. He's so exciting to watch.
Mexico's coach tried to seize the initiative again as he introduced the pacey wideman Pablo Barrera. Immediately he made an impact as he skipped past two defenders on the right but his deep cross was cleared after being helped back into the six-yard box by Andres Guardado, who had just been booked for a challenge on Neymar. But Barrera's intervention galvanised Mexico once again as they looked for an equaliser. David Luiz needed to be at full-stretch to cut out dos Santos' clever cross as Mexico pushed again, before Brazil clinched it in the dying moments, with a truly wonderful moment.
If you were being extra harsh, you could argue Neymar was quiet for parts of the second half, but the piece of brilliance at the end is what Barcelona paid top money for. He slowed down his dribble on the left side to a crawl, before pushing the ball onto his left boot and then putting it through two defenders in the same move. Rodriguez and Mier were beaten by this incredible piece of skill, and could only watch as the golden boy showed an end product as well by picking out Jo to finish. It was such a tiny gap, and he showed the composure to pass to Jo when he could have shot himself.
In summary, For the first 15 minutes Brazil were fantastic, driven on by a wonderful crowd and the magic of this 21-year-old. Neymar then lit up the final moments of the match with a delightful piece of skill to lay on the goal for Jo. But for long periods the Selecao went missing, and if they are to win this tournament, they must improve.
Player ratings:
Brazil (4-2-3-1) Julio Cesar 6; Dani Alves 7, Thiago Silva 7, David Luiz 8, Marcelo 7; Paulinho 7, Luis Gustavo 6; Hulk 6, Oscar 6, Neymar 9, Fred 6. Subs: Lucas Moura 6, Hernanes 6, Jo 7.
Mexico (4-3-2-1) Jose Corona 6; Mier 7, Rodriguez 7, Moreno 5, Jorge Torres 6; Salcido 7, Torrado 6, Flores 6; Guardado 7, Dos Santos 7; Hernandez 5. Subs: Hector Herrera 5, Pablo Barrera 7, Jimenez 5.
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