Brazil 2-0 Mexico: World Cup highlights and recap

Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in the World Cup on Monday, July 2. Here are all the highlights from the match.

Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 on Monday, July 2, to advance to the World Cup semifinals. They didn’t flash the attacking brilliance we’ve come to expect from them, but after a slow start, took control of the game and were well worth the win.

Mexico dominated the opening exchanges, pegging Brazil in their own half, but weren’t able to translate their control of possession into clear chances. Allison didn’t have to make a save until after the hour mark.

Brazil’s willingness to sit deep and absorb Mexico’s pressure was a sign of how they’ve changed in the four years since their embarrassment against Germany at the last World Cup. With Casemiro and Paulinho shielding the defense, they rarely looked threatened.

Their attack began to take control in the second half. Philippe Coutinho forced Guillermo Ochoa into a good save in the 48th minute, before Neymar gave them the lead shortly after, tapping in at the back post after a nice run and cross by Willian.

The goal was the standout moment in a sustained period of Brazil pressure, with Paulinho and Willian also forcing Ochoa into good saves, but it was the ease with which they saw out the game defensively that marks them out from the other favorites.

As Mexico chased the game late on, Brazil punished them on the counter to put the result to bed. Neymar was the provider this time, as his shot was knocked into the path of Roberto Firmino, who tapped in at the back post.

Next: The best player on every team at the World Cup

Highlights

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1013807478637596672

Brazil will face the winner of Belgium’s match against Japan in the quarterfinals.