Brazil reached the World Cup quarter-finals after Neymar scored and assisted in a 2-0 win over a Mexico in the round of 16 clash.
Neymar Jr and Firmino’s goal secured a comfortable win for the five time World Champions.
Neymar opened the scoring for Brazil with a close-range tap-in on 50 minutes and Roberto Firmino made the game safe two minutes from time. It was another painful exit for Mexico. And, their “fifth game” curse continues.
After being disqualified from qualifying in 1990, Mexico have suffered seven successive defeats in the round of 16 stage since 1994. Brazil will now face the winners of Belgium and Japan in the quarterfinals. Though Brazil have got a big blow for the all important clash. Casemiro will be suspended after picking up a yellow card in the second half.
The five-time winners also surpassed Germany’s World Cup record of 226 World Cup goals. They now moved to 228 after Neymar and Firmino’s strikes.
Focused and fearless, Mexico continued to trouble Brazil in the opening stages. Created lot of opportunities but failed to capitalize in the final end. On the other hand, Brazil tasted Ochoa several times and the Mexican goal keeper was the winner in the first half.
Though that didn’t continue in the second half. The goalkeeper could do nothing about Brazil’s opener five minutes after the restart. Willian’s left-footed cross found Neymar and he made no mistake from close range.
Paulinho almost doubled the lead before the hour, but his shot inside the box was kept out by the excellent Ochoa. Mexico never really looked likely to get back into the game. And, Brazil made sure two minutes from time. Neymar burst through and prodded past Ochoa for Firmino to finish the game off — and Mexico with it. Brazil will face the winners of Belgium-Japan clash on 7 July.
FT: Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Neymar 51′ | Firmino 88′