Mexico’s quarterfinal dream goes unfulfilled, again
By Zach Bigalke
Mexico remain cursed in the World Cup knockout stage as they fell 2-0 to Brazil. For the seventh straight tournament, El Tri bombed out in the round of 16.
The way Mexico played in this year’s World Cup in Russia, they seemed ready to make a deep run in the tournament. Favorites have tumbled all over the place, few bigger than Germany. The defending World Cup champions lost the opener against Mexico, falling 1-0 to start a campaign that ended in the group stage.
A 3-0 defeat to Sweden in the final group-stage match earned Mexico a date with Brazil instead of Switzerland. Still, for the seventh straight World Cup tournament, Mexico reached the round of 16. And, given their form against Germany, a date with pre-tournament favorite Brazil didn’t seem entirely insurmountable.
Yet for the seventh straight World Cup, Mexico bombed out of the tournament after the first knockout round. In Samara, El Tri endured a 2-0 heartbreak against the South American powerhouse. With the loss, Mexico’s quarterfinals curse continued without interruption as their last appearance in the final eight remains the tournament on home soil in 1986.
Mexico staved off several Brazilian attacks in the first half. Guillermo Ochoa made three saves in the first 45 minutes to keep things level at the intermission. It continued a World Cup where Ochoa has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Standard Liege keeper entered the match against Brazil with 17 saves through the three group stage matches.
Brazil turned up the heat in the second half. Ochoa came up with a big save in the first five minutes, but by the 51st minute the five-time World Cup champions were in the lead. A swift counter-attack overwhelmed the Mexico defense, and Willian found Neymar for the go-ahead goal.
Neymar and substitute Roberto Firmino connected for an insurance goal a few minutes from stoppage time. Neymar darted up the left flank with acres of real estate in front of him. Shooting across the width of the goal, Neymar’s pass was grazed by Ochoa. But the goalkeeper could not cleanly stop the pass, and it found Firmino for a simple tap-in.
Mexico turned up the heat, but they could find no way to crack the Brazil back line. Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was challenged by only one attempt on target, as the South Americans stifled Mexico’s counter-attacks.
With the defeat, another golden opportunity collapsed for the Mexicans on the World Cup stage. Fans of El Tri now have to wait four more years to see if their heroes can get to the quarterfinals in Qatar.
The defeat also spells the last hurrah for several Mexican stars. This was almost certainly the last World Cup appearance for players like Ochoa, Rafael Marquez and Andres Guardado. It could also be the last hurrah at the World Cup for Javier Hernandez, as Chicharito finds himself on the wrong side of 30.
Next: The best player on every team at the 2018 World Cup
An experienced roster in their prime fell short against a squad that have far more history of deep runs at the World Cup. There’s no shame in losing to Brazil, of course. But after this heartbreaker, Mexico will rue what might be their best chance to advance to a fifth match at the World Cup for years to come.