Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Mexico 0 - Brasil 0

Photo by Buda Mendes
Brasil hosted Mexico in Fortaleza in the first match between two sides that had already debuted at Brasil 2014. Oddly enough, the site was the same one used in Brasil's 2-0 victory over Mexico in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Brasil had the first truly threatening drive forward just over a dozen minutes into the battle, but a blocked shot from Mexican defender Hector Moreno followed immediately by a strong tackle by fellow defender Francisco Rodriguez set the defensive tone for the afternoon. Midway through the first half, Mexico were enjoying better offensive possession than were Brasil. Oribe Peralta nearly dribbled through three defenders in the box. Hector Herrera was next to try his luck, and he drove a ball from distance that sailed over the Brazilian crossbar with help from a touch by Brasil goalkeeper Julio Cesar. It would be Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, though, who would provide a candidate for save of the tournament. Dani Alves swung in a beautiful cross to the back post. Neymar (pictured, yellow) rose to power a furious header just inside the back post, but a miraculous horizontal flight from Ochoa allowed him to palm the ball around his post. Brazilian forward Fred won a header off a corner kick, but he added no power to match his accuracy so Ochoa made the catch easily. Andres Guardado used some fancy dribbling to get into space up the right side of Brasil's defense, and his pass set up a one-time shot form distance by Jose Vasquez that tailed just wide of frame at the last moment. With only a couple minutes left in the half, Brasil defeated Mexico's offside trap on a free kick. However, Ochoa again was able to come off his line quickly to block an open toe-poke shot from Paulinho and keep the teams level on the scoreboard. The first half ended with no goals having been scored.

Early in the second period, substitute Bernard dribbled into the Mexican box and hit a pass across the face of goal, but Rodriguez was there to knock the ball away for a corner at the back post. Mexico continued to be dangerous in this half, with Vasquez and Hector Herrera both firing driven balls just over the crossbar. Neymar nearly grabbed the opening goal (again), but Ochoa made a reaction save from less than five yards away to deny him yet again. With less than five minutes to play, a Neymar free kick found an open Thiago Silva inside the six-yard box, but he directed his header straight into Ochoa, who made his sixth and final save of the night. In the final minute of regulation, Andres Guardado (pictured, red) sent another Mexican shot just over the bar. In stoppage time, Cesar saved a Raul Jimenez bouncer that Jimenez had struck off the half-volley. Ochoa led Mexico to a famous result as the teams tie 0-0.

Brasil 4 pts +2
Mexico 4 pts +1
Cameroon 0 pts -1
Croatia 0 pts -2


Match Reports:
http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cup/story/1889294/mexico-hail-our-saviour-goalkeeper-guillermo-Ochoa
http://soccer.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/06/17/brazil-mexico-world-cup-three-thoughts-ochoa-neymar-fred?eref=sihp
http://www.espnfc.us/team/mexico/203/blog/post/1889221/mexico-grades-a-hard-earned-point
http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/1875845/brazil-and-mexico-play-out-goalless-draw-in-world-cups-group-a

Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186509/index.html

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