Brazil Two Good For Mexico

  

Brazil line-up: Julio Cesar, Alves, Thiago, David Luiz, Marcelo, Oscar (Hernanes, 61'), Dias, Paulinho, Fred (Jo, 82'), Neymar, Hulk (Lucas, 78')

Mexico line-up: Corona, Rodriguez, Salcido, Moreno, Torres (Barrera, 70'), Mier, Flores (Herrera, 58'), Torrado (Jimenez, 88'), Guardado, Giovani, Hernandez

Two fantastic pieces of skill from Neymar, at either end of the game, have all but ended Mexico's Confederation's Cup. A fantastic after just nine minutes and then an injury time assist was enough for Brazil to make it two wins out of two and all but book their place in the semi-finals. 

The atmosphere was electric in Fortaleza with almost 60,000 Brazilians singing the national anthem at full volume. This looked to have inspired the national team as they began the match like a house on fire. The writing was on the wall for Mexico from the start as Oscar looked have given Brazil the lead after just six minutes. It came from a Neymar ball across goal, but the flag had been up for some time and the goal was ruled out.

The crowd would then erupt after just nine minutes when Brazil were 1-0 ahead for good this time. A Dani Alves cross was headed away by Francisco Rodriguez. But the header would only fall to Neymar who pulled off a fantastic volley from just inside the box to score his second fantastic goal of the tournament.

Brazil continued to be dominant as the game reached the quarter of an hour mark. Dani Alves almost made it 2-0 with a delightful chip that cause Jose Corona to back pedal before just about tipping the sublime effort over the bar. But that was about as good as it got for the South Americans as the half wore on.

Mexico weren't down and out by any means and they tried grow throughout the first half. Hiram Mier almost found an equaliser after brilliantly beating two defenders before firing just wide. Whenever Brazil weren't on the ball, they looked vulnerable. But whenever Neymar was on the ball, it looked like anything was going to happen. The striker almost scored his second within half an hour but his powerful effort just went over the bar.

Brazil didn't really make any more of it as the half drew to a close. It was more about Mexico in an attacking sense but for all of Giovani Dos Santos' great play down the wing, they just couldn't form anything to trouble Julio Cesar.

Brazil started the second half like they did the first, with a disallowed goal. This time it was a free-kick that caused trouble but the header back across for Thiago Silva to tap in came from an offside position and the flag rightly went up.

Hulk had a fantastic chance of doubling Brazil's lead after Neymar had once again put him through. But the Zenit striker made a hash of it and sliced his effort horribly wide. But after that, the half again slightly went quiet.

Apart from the flashes of brilliance, Brazil weren't overly amazing and Mexico, if they showed a little more quality, could have caused a bit more damage. The substitution of Pablo Barrera was extremely positive and he caused a lot of problems for Marcelo. Mexico did go close when Giovani squared a ball across where Javier Hernandez was on hand to tap it home. The Manchester United would have done so, only for the solid David Luiz to slide in and clear it away for a corner.

The match was finished off in injury time when Neymar fantastically beat two defenders to cut inside in the box. The striker was going to shoot before changing his mind in a split second to open his foot and square the ball across for substitute Jo to hit home.