Brazil - Mexico 0-0: Neymar couldn't beat an unemployed goalkeeper.

Last summer, Brazil comfortably defeated Mexico 2-0 on their way to conquering the Confederations Cup. A year later, also in Fortaleza, Felipe Scolari's team failed to repeat that feat. The reason? The brilliance of Guillermo Ochoa!

Compared to the lineup that played in Fortaleza exactly one year ago, Brazil made only one change: Ramires started in place of Hulk, who was having fitness issues. In contrast, Mexico's lineup last night consisted of only four players from their previous encounter: center-backs Rodriguez and Moreno, right winger Guardado, and striker Giovani dos Santos. And the coach of Mexico a year ago was Jose de la Torre, not Hector Herrera. Furthermore, Mexico has changed coaches four times in the past year, while Scolari has coached Brazil for the past two years.

But ultimately, the team, considered very stable and with the home advantage, faced considerable difficulties against Mexico, a team that had performed quite poorly and only reached the finals through the play-offs. Neymar, who had scored a brace in the opening match against Croatia, was still the player with the highest expectations, but he was unable to shine against the tight defense of the Central American team. With five defenders plus a "cushion" in the center, Vazquez, Mexico effectively thwarted the home team's attacks.

Even after overcoming that wall, Neymar still faced another obstacle: Guillermo Ochoa, the goalkeeper currently unemployed after leaving Ajaccio at the end of last season. In the 26th minute, Neymar rose higher than everyone else to head the ball after a cross from the right wing by Alves, but Ochoa made a full-stretch save. Towards the end of the first half, three Brazilian players broke the offside trap to face Ochoa after a free kick, but the goalkeeper rushed out and saved David Luiz's close-range shot.

Scolari brought on Bernard and Jo, but Brazil remained unable to find the back of the net against Mexico. Neymar once again failed to beat Ochoa with a shot in the 68th minute. In the 76th minute, Jo had a chance to face the Mexican goalkeeper, but his shot was sloppy and inaccurate. In the 86th minute, Thiago Silva headed the ball powerfully, but Ochoa was in the right position to make the save. If Julio Cesar hadn't saved a shot in the 90th minute, the home team would likely have suffered a humiliating defeat.

While it's true that Ochoa played an outstanding game, and that Mexico is considered a formidable opponent for Brazilian football, what they showed clearly shows that the Selecao are not as strong as people think, and the journey to conquer their sixth World Cup title will not be easy.

You still have a lot of work to do, Felipao!

According to Thethaovanhoa.vn