Neymar and Roberto Firmino were on the scoresheet as Brazil comfortably beat Mexico to reach the Quarter Finals despite a slow start at the Samara Arena on Monday afternoon.
Mexico stared the match brightly as a mistake by Allison saw the ball fall to Hirving Lozano who brought it down on his chest before trying to shoot with Miranda blocking his effort.
Neymar tried his luck from distance, but Guillermo Ochoa comfortably palmed it away. 10 minutes later Mexico had another good chance as Lozano broke down the right before trying to pick out Javier Hernandez at the far post, but with too much on the cross.
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Ochoa denied Neymar again 25 minutes in as the PSG star cut past two defenders before his shot was smothered by the onrushing 32-year-pld keeper.
A Neymar free kick saw Ochoa punch the ball straight at Gabriel Jesus whose eventual shot was well blocked by Hugo Ayala before Mexico managed to clear their lines.
Brazil settled in well in the later stages of the first half, but Mexico remained a constant threat on the counter-attack as the teams went into the break on even terms.
Brazil started the second half well and eventually found a well-deserved opener through Neymar. The winger played a good back heel to Willian who then burst forward before crossing towards the far post and Neymar was there to bury the chance and put Brazil ahead.
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With half an hour to go, both keepers pulled out good saves to deny efforts from range by Carlos Vela and Willian respectively.
As has been the case all world cup, an incident involving Neymar rolling around occurred with 19 minutes to go. The Brazilian after going down outside the field appeared to have been trodden on by Miguel Layun as he went down to pick up the ball. Despite Neymar’s thatrics and the use of VAR, no card was issued to Layun and play eventually resumed.
Willian had a go from range but Ochoa comfortably saved the effort as Tite nbegan to make some changes with Paulinho being replaced by Fernandinho.
Roberto Firmino then replaced Philippe Coutinho and made an immediate impact as he doubled the advantage in the 88th minute. Neymar drove down the left flank before his cross took a deflection off the outstretched of Ochoa, but the rebound fell straight to Firmino who tapped it in to send Brazil into the last eight.