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WC MOTD: Brazil 0-0 Mexico – Brazil Held Resolute By Mexico

By on June 17, 2014

World Cup 2014 hosts Brazil were held by a defensively solid Mexico in Fortaleza, with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa starring in the Mexican goal, in a match with a somewhat drab scoreline, but brilliant affair.

Brazil made one change from the side that beat Croatia 3-1 in Sao Paulo as Ramires came in for the wasteful Hulk. Julio Cesar was behind a back four of Dani Alves, David Luiz, David Silva and Marcelo whilst the midfield consisted of Gustavo, Ramires, and Paulinho. Oscar and Neymar provided support for Fred up front. Meanwhile, Mexico made no changes from the team that beat Cameroon as Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno and Francisco Rodriguez formed a center-back trio, with Miguel Layun and Andres Guardado at wing-back behind a midfield trio of Paul Aguilar, Hector Herrera and Jose Vazquez. The lively duo of Giovani Dos Santos and Oribe Peralta formed a potent striking partnership.

Mexico’s use of three centre-backs frustrated the hosts, remaining in the main untroubled by a lackluster Brazil, who were epitomized by the seemingly disinterested Fred. It was a surprise to see him last as long as sixty-eight minutes before he was replaced by Jo, who instantly had more of an impact.
The slow start of the match rather set the tone for the whole game. Brazil had a distinct lack of urgency during the first half, although David Luiz’s early free-kick did sting the palms of Ochoa early on. These instances were to be few and far between however, and on the odd occasion Fred did make a move in the box he was flagged offside, spurning a chance that in any case he ought to have scored.

Neymar then had a header wonderfully saved by Ochoa, with his reactions denying a certain goal for Brazil’s superstar. It would be Mexico who fashioned the only other clear cut chance of the half however, as Vazquez’ long range shot almost found the bottom corner five minutes before half time.
Ramires was substituted at half-time as the more creative Bernard came on in his place to try and inject urgency into Brazil’s play, but this was largely to be a forlorn hope as Mexico again started the half better. Dos Santos threatened the Brazilian goal from range ten minutes into the second half from long range before Guardado did likewise before Aguilar found his way into the book for persistent fouling. The match was at least becoming more open and lively, though.

Ochoa was again on hand to deny Neymar on seventy minutes, with a brave stop to deny him from close range as Brazil started to show signs of life. They were threateedn again soon after as Fred’s replacement Jo dragged his shot well wide when well placed, before Silva was booked for a crude challenge on Javier Hernandez, just on as a replacement for Peralta.

The game was to end in a draw, despite both side’s pushing forward, after the last attempt on goal came from another Mexican substitute Raul Jimenez, who fired a volley towards Cesar’s goal. In the end the result hardly does justice to the match, and it also leaves the loser of tomorrow’s crunch game between Croatia and Cameroon in Manaus out of the World Cup.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.