Neymar lets his football do the talking and other Brazil v Mexico talking points

NEYMAR LIGHTS IT UP

Brazil’s chief superstar Neymar hasn’t always made the headlines for the right reasons during this World Cup, but on this occasion the flamboyant winger let his football do the talking as much as his haircuts or theatrical tumbles.

Neymar was always the most dangerous individual on the field, starting in the early stages when he let fly with a swerving long-range strike which Mexico keeper Memo Ochoa punched away with difficulty.

Before long a slaloming run and shot from the left wing provided the most spectacular individual moment of the first half, and shortly after the break he opened the scoring by concluding a dangerous dribble with a clever back-heel to Willian, and then continuing his run to meet the Chelsea man’s low cross with a stretching close-range finish. Before the end he also created the second, racing inside from the left to deliver a shot which Ochoa could only divert straight to Roberto Firmino for a tap-in.

The less admirable side of Neymar’s game emerged as well, as he writhed in (probably fake) agony after an incident with Miguel Layun on the sidelines, but that shouldn’t detract from a match-winning display by a unique player who looks like he is back to his best. Watch out World Cup… Neymar is nowhere near finished yet.

BRAZIL WEATHER THE STORM

Mexico started the game in a blistering fashion, throwing plenty of men forward and creating several dangerous positions in the first 20 minutes which could have very easily yielded an opening goal.

With Carlos Vela rampant down the left wing and Hirving Lozano doing the same on the right, while Javier Hernandez sniffed out space in the centre and midfield duo Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado burst forward to attack the box, the Brazilian defence was regularly stretched to breaking point.

But this was a case of bend and not break, as Brazil weathered the storm with a series of well-timed challenges and last-ditch interventions, blocking three shots to ensure that goalkeeper Allison did not have a save to make.

It was impossible for Mexico to maintain that kind of blistering tempo throughout the 90 minutes and the pattern of the game soon changed, with Brazil’s defence having played their part by maintaining a clean sheet to build the foundations for victory.

CASEMIRO LEAVES A GAP

One of the big reasons that Brazil were able to escape unscathed from Mexico’s fast start was the performance of defensive midfielder Casemiro, whose positional sense and strong physical presence protected his back four to perfection.

And although Neymar will understandably grab the headlines, it must not be overlooked that Brazil’s serene progress in Russia is being underpinned by a fine defensive effort with just one goal conceded in four games and three consecutive clean sheets – indeed, despite Mexico’s admirably attacking game-plan they were restricted to just one shot on target, showing that Brazil’s Neymar-inspired flair is backed up by plenty of defensive solidity.

However, Casemiro also picked up his second booking of the tournament and will therefore miss his team’s quarter-final, probably against dangerous Belgium, on Friday. A readymade replacement is available in the form of Manchester City’s Fernandinho, who is in line to enjoy a fascinating tussle with club-mate Kevin De Bruyne.

But he doesn’t possess the same defensive presence as Casemiro, and the Real Madrid man’s outstanding abilities in front of the back four could be sorely missed against a team with the attacking firepower of the Belgians.