One of the best players in the world finally ended Mexico’s dreams of world football domination. Neymar, being the most heroic and most vexing player of the night, took the game beyond Mexico. Progressing beyond the last 16 has now become a task for Mexico who has fallen in the last 16 in seven consecutive World Cups.
Mexico started this tournament with high hopes when they beat defending champions Germany by one goal to nil. The Mexicans dominated the beginning of the match as Brazil struggled to contain the Mexican waves of attacks. Even while Brazil rallied on the Mexico goalmouth, goalkeeper Ochoa stood like a wall and made a number of crucial saves to deny Brazil. At half time, the scoreboard read 0-0.
However, ten minutes into the second half, Neymar orchestrated a move to cut in from the left to draw three Mexican defenders before back passing to Willian with his heel. Neymar then went in front of goal to finally connect to a low cross from Willian to finish it into the net after the cross beat Guillermo Ochoa.
Then came the killing stroke and unsurprisingly enough, it was Neymar who pulled the strings again. Fernandinho won the ball in midfield and played Neymar through, who drove the ball into the area and crossed the ball with the outside of his foot to substitute Roberto Firmino who tapped in the second goal of the match. At the end of the day, it was Neymar whose breathtaking play took the game away from Mexico.
