Brazil gave another energetic performance full of creative assists and samba-like maneuvers to crush Mexico’s dream of winning its \'quinto partido\' (fifth match) and advancing to the quarterfinals at Samara Arena in Samara, Russia.
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AFP PHOTO/MANAN VATSYAYANA
Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino (left) celebrates with forward Neymar after scoring a goal during the 2018 World Cup in Russia in a round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Samara Arena in Samara on Monday, July 2.
SAMARA, MONDAY – Brazil is well on its way to win its sixth World Cup after defeating Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 on Monday night (2/7/2018), Jakarta time, in this year’s World Cup at Samara Arena in Samara, Russia. Brazil gave another energetic performance full of creative assists and samba-like maneuvers to crush Mexico’s dream of winning its quinto partido (fifth match) and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Football superstar Neymar da Silva Santos scored Brazil’s first goal by successfully using an assist from Brazilian winger Willian Borges da Silva in the 51st minute. This was Neymar’s second goal in Russia and his 57th with the Brazilian national team. The road is open for him to beat Pelé’s record 77 goals or Ronaldo’s 62 goals.
AP PHOTO/ANDRE PENNER
Brazil\'s Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring his side\'s second goal during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico in the 2018 World Cup at Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia, on July 2.
Neymar then assisted Roberto Firmino, who scored Brazil’s second goal in the 88th minute. Neymar was truly the soul of the Brazilian team. With 23 goals, he has scored the most goals In Russia, 12 of which were direct goals. He also assisted in 16 goals made by his teammates.
Neymar’s central role on the team has made him the player most violated against. He has been on the receiving end of violations 23 times in this year’s World Cup. This is dangerous for Brazil. In the 2014 World Cup, Neymar was on the receiving end of so many violations that he ended up with a back injury in the quarterfinal match against Colombia. Without Neymar, Brazil was thoroughly battered in the semifinals by Germany, 1-7. If Brazil loses Neymar once again in Russia, it will have an uphill battle to its sixth title.
REUTERS/CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS
Mexico\'s Guillermo Ochoa saves a shot from Brazil\'s Neymar before Roberto Firmino (not pictured) scores Brazil\'s second goal during the 2018 World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena, Samara, Russia, on Monday, July 2.
GETTY IMAGES/HECTOR VIVAS
Neymar of Brazil passes the ball to Roberto Firmino (out of frame) of Brazil for Brazil\'s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena on Monday, July 2, in Samara, Russia.
Today, Neymar and his teammates are focusing on their physical recovery ahead of the quarterfinals. The Samba team will face the winner of the Belgium-Japan match, which was held at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on early Tuesday, Jakarta time.
Barring any surprises, Brazil can expect to face Belgium on the semifinals. Statistically, Brazil has won three times and lost once against Belgium. Meanwhile, the Samba team has won 10 times and tied twice against Japan.
Even though the statistics are clearly on Brazil’s side, the team must remain alert. Under coach Roberto Martinez, Belgium has churned out its golden generation, filled with players hungry for victory. The Belgian squad in Russia has gained considerable experience from the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Euro Cup.
Belgium has many creative players, including Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel. Its fierce forward line is filled with unstoppable players: striker Romelu Lukaku with his four goals and wingers Eden Hazard (two goals) and Dries Mertens (one goal).
REUTERS/PAULO WHITAKER
Fans celebrate a goal during the broadcast of the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Brazil and Mexico in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, July 2.
golden generation is ready to take home the World Cup. Brazil, with its long World Cup history and roster of superstars, will need to curb Belgium’s swift and well-organized playing style.
In the second scenario in which Japan defeats Belgium, Brazil will need to watch out for the Blue Samurais, known for their dangerous attacks.
Beautiful play
Whoever Brazil will face in the quarterfinals, its beautiful and cohesive playing style, as seen in the match against Mexico, will give it an advantage. As Brazil was filled with joy at the end of the match, Mexico mourned its fate of not reaching the World Cup quarterfinals since 1994.
“[That we can] play on the same level as a team like Brazil, it shows that we are a good team. It’s just that we don’t have that extra quality that they have in front of their goalpost,” Mexico’s coach Juan Carlos Osorio said, as quoted by the FIFA website.
REUTERS/DAVID GRAY
Brazil\'s Neymar and Casemiro celebrate victory after the match as Mexico\'s Edson Alvarez looks dejected during the 2018 World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena, Samara, Russia, on Monday, July 2.
It was their “beautiful game”, or “o jogo bonito”, that made Brazilian footballers the kings of the world. They won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970 and 1994, and most recently in 2002. This year, they want to end their 16-year wait for their sixth win.
Under coach Tite, the Brazilian team came to Russia with lofty ambitions. It wanted to maintain its dignity as the No. 1 nation in football. In the match against El Tricolor team, Tite used the 4-2-3-1 formation. The only change was to replace left defender Marcelo, who had a back injury, with Felipe Luis.
During the match, Willian effectively terrorized Mexico’s defense. Brazil aggressively pressured Mexico in the first 25 minutes of the match while Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casemiro ensured balance between the players. However, Casemiro will not play in the quarterfinals, because of his accumulated yellow cards.
