📝 Brazil 2-0 Mexico: Neymar the match-winner as El Tri head home | OneFootball

Brazil advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Mexico 2-0 in Samara.

Juan Carlos Osorio’s men had started the brighter but lacked the requisite quality to make their dominance count.

Neymar was again the match-winner for the Canarinha’s who go from strength-to-strength with each win.

Brazil 2-0 Mexico:

1-0 Neymar 51′ 2-0 Firmino 88′

Much like yesterday’s tie between Croatia and Denmark, both teams started quickly and enjoyed attempts on goal within the first five minutes.

We know from their win over Germany that Mexico are dangerous on the break and as Carlos Vela set Hirving Lozano free on the right, it took a great block from Miranda to prevent El Tri going ahead.

The early scare clearly kicked Brazil into gear. After some smart work from Philippe Coutinho, Neymar stung the palms of Guillermo Ochoa and minutes later Gabriel Jesus was again thwarted by the curly haired stopper.

Opportunities followed shortly after with Willian going close for O Seleção before Javier Hernández blazed wide after doing well to initially create space out wide.

Neymar was again at the heart of the action, getting kicked left, right and centre by the Mexican midfield and it was clear that they were doing their best to frustrate him.

Carlos Vela – who has been excellent so far this tournament – also tried his luck from range but to no avail, leaving the game goalless at half-time.

After an evenly matched first half, it didn’t take long for Brazil to take the lead shortly after thanks to their star man once again.

Willian broke free in the Mexico penalty area before drilling the ball dangerously across goal – a delivery simply begging to be tucked away.

Past the despairing dive of Ochoa, inches away from the toes of Gabriel Jesus, it was third time lucky as Neymar slid in to the empty net.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of El Tri who struggled to create anything of note afterwards.

Lozano was brilliant against Fagner and often had the beating of him one-on-one, but any service was snuffed out emphatically by Miranda and Thiago Silva who were excellent again.

Mexico legs were tiring and after Neymar was set free by Fernandinho, it was his saved shot that fell perfectly to Roberto Firmino who tapped home from two yards.

Brazil are yet to entirely convince but their game management and efficiency in front of goal will have others looking over their shoulder.

Man of the Match: Neymar (Brazil)

Without doubt a controversial figure, but leading Brazil for shots on target, chances created, key passes and fouls suffered, Neymar is their creative spark going forward. He was the difference maker again today but please spare us the theatrics? We want to like you.

What happens next?

Brazil will play the winners of Sweden vs Switzerland on 6 July.