vs. Location: Cosmos Arena, Samara, Russian Federation Brazil roster: Goleiros: Alisson (Roma) Cássio (Corinthians) Ederson (Manchester City) Laterais: Danilo (Manchester City) Filipe Luís (Atlético de Madrid) Marcelo (Real Madrid) Fagner (Corinthians) Zagueiros: Marquinhos (PSG) Miranda (Inter de Milão) Thiago Silva (PSG) Geromel (Grêmio) Meio-campistas: Casemiro (Real Madrid) Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan) Fernandinho (Manchester City) Paulinho (Barcelona) Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) Willian (Chelsea) Fred (Shakhtar) Atacantes: Neymar (PSG) Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) Douglas Costa (Juventus) Taison (Shakhtar) After winning its group and remaining unbeaten in the group stage for yet another World Cup dating back to 2002, Brazil heads to the round of 16 for the death or glory stage of the 2018 World Cup. And if its painfully earned 2-0 win over Serbia is any indication, there will only be more struggles henceforth - and Mexico is the first obstacle. Mexico is one of the teams outside CONMEBOL which has played Brazil the most frequently, and there have been various dramatic and memorable confrontations between the two, spanning World Cup, Copa América, Confederations Cup, and even Olympic Games. Mexico is likewise inextricably linked with one of the most famous and unforgettable chapters of Brazil's soccer history: the 1970 World Cup, which Mexico hosted - and which all of Mexico celebrated as the greatest Brazil NT won the Jules Rimet trophy permanently thanks to the 4-1 final win at Azteca Stadium. Mexico reached Russia with a solid campaign in CONCACAF qualifying; it won the group stage with 5 wins and 1 draw, and then finished in first in the final hexagonal group, with 6 wins, 3 draws, and a single loss (2-3 at Honduras). It transitioned well from 2014, where it gave Brazil fits in their 0-0 group stage draw, and only the mighty Netherlands managed to defeat Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16. And more recently, the younger generation of Mexican men's soccer did not emerge from the group stage at the 2016 Olympics, falling behind Germany and South Korea. As CONMEBOL and CONCACAF joined forces to organize two Copa América tournaments in 2015 and in 2016, Mexico was there for both. It crashed out in last place in Group A behind Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador. In 2016, a different story emerged as Mexico, now under Colombian manager Juan Carlos Osorio, won the group convincingly with a 3-1 win over Uruguay, a 2-0 victory over Jamaica, and 1-1 draw with Venezuela. It is true that the 0-7 defeat to Chile in the knockout rounds was a shock and a damper over Mexican hopes, the FMF kept Osorio on, and the results in qualifying spoke for themselves. In this World Cup, Mexico upset defending World Cup champions Germany 1-0 in its opener with a combination of well-positioned players showing grit and hunger, speedy counterattacks, and absolutely no fear. There was a drop in production against Korea, as the Mexicans' intensity was lower, but the Central Americans still earned a 2-1 win. Finally, Mexico surprised many by losing 3-0 to Sweden - a scoreline which would have sent them home except for Korea's historic 2-0 victory over Germany, which sealed Germany's elimination (and last place in the group) and pushed Mexico to the next stage. Brazil holds an advantage over Mexico in Copa América matches whereas the record is 2-2 in the Confederations Cup. Brazil beat Mexico in the 1997 and 1999 editions of the tournament, which it won, whereas the Mexicans beat Brazil 4-3 in the 1999 Confeds final (at home). Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, and Javier Hernández form a dangerous attacking trio in what is this Mexican side's strongest component: offense. In goal, Guillermo Ochoa is back and Brazil will have to find a way to get the ball past him. And while there is enough speed for the team to create dangerous counter-attacks, the Swedes today proved that Mexico can definitely be a vulnerable team. Brazil may have lost Marcelo to injury, as he stepped out early in the Serbia match due to lower back pain, but he was medicated and looks to be well. With Danilo and Douglas Costa currently sidelined, it was good no Brazilian was either injured or yellow-carded in the victory against Serbia. Osorio and Tite are a study in contrasts and similarities. Osorio tends to change his team to adapt to opponents; he did this while at SPFC alternating wins and lopsided defeats. Tite does this less, putting more emphasis on continuity and stability. Both are avid students of the game, and are known to be tacticians. Osorio and Tite never faced each other in the Brazilian league, but this changes that. Mexico could present a danger to Brazil as it has now bested Germany and knows Brazil, while excellent, is not invincible. Brazil may need to exercise more patience against Mexico than any other before scoring - Mexico is not likely to sit back as Switzerland and Costa Rica did, but its players will likely foul Neymar hard (Neymar has had some history with Mexico, and the Mexicans, being fellow Latin Americans, are acquainted with the catimba Brazilians have faced for decades in South America to destabilize players; if Neymar has now ahead of him a game when he cannot lose his cool, it's this match). An interesting fact about Brazil vs. Mexico is that however many goals Mexico has scored vs. Brazil over the past decades, Mexico has never scored against Brazil in World Cup confrontations; in the World Cup, this will be the fifth confrontation between these teams. Brazil routed Mexico 4-0 in Rio almost 68 years ago today, which was then followed by an ever greater rout (5-0) in 1954. 8 years later, Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in Viña del Mar en route to its second World Cup title, and 4 years later, Ochoa shut down the net an prevented Brazil's several shots from going in to ensure a 0-0 draw in the group stage. Brazil averages 2.75 goals vs. Mexico in the World Cup - although of course this past is no guarantee of future performance. The following was Mexico's starting XI vs. Sweden on June 27, 2018: Ochoa; Álvarez, Salcedo, Hector Moreno and Gallardo (Fabián); Guardado (Jesús Corona) and Hector Herrera; Layún (Oribe Peralta), Carlos Vela and Lozano; Chicharito Hernández
Mexico has been a constant torn in our side. Even in the 90’s with Ronaldo and Romario. Never an easy game but an enjoyable one. I would like Tite to shore up the midfield. They have a favorable matchup with on our right side with Hirving Lozano. Another thing is Ochoa tends to have stormers against us.
I've really only watched Mexico's game vs Germany and I have to say that theoretically, this shouldn't be as tough of a matchup as we've seen in the past. Theoretically that is. Very tough to gauge Mexico from that game because they seldom (IMO) play that much on defense and counter. If they try that against us, our transition defense is much better than Germany's. That's not to say it can't work out for them. They do typically play up to their opposition. But I don't think they are as solid as they've been as in the past. I need to watch the Sweden game (if I have the patience) to judge where they stand. But I am more worried about our own form / injuries. I think this is a game where GJ can do something if he is still starting and Neymar could have a good game. They also have that R16 stigma going against them. So let's make sure that tradition continues.
World Cup begins for me. I'm heading to Russia tomorrow and I'll be at this game. It's supposed to be super hot in Samara. 95 degrees on the day of the game.
One good thing for us is that Hector Moreno, who committed the PK foul vs. Sweden, picked up a 2nd yellow card through that play and is sanctioned for the match vs. Brazil. Mexico has a good team overall, but if they are undermanned by even one player, it helps us even if only a bit. Moreno was a starting full-back for Mexico in all 3 matches thus far.
They’ve kept his status under wraps for the most part, but it doesn’t appear that he will be available for this game. They haven’t given any sort of timetable or anything.
Damn I remember that game so well even though it was 21 years ago!! G. Jesus was just born!! Leonardo and Romario with the hat trick!! Shit in that year 1997 we only loss 1 game and that was to Norway, we were damn near unstoppable!! If the World Cup was held that year, we would've won it hands down in a landslide!!
Too bad we didn't give Taison some minutes in the 1st round in case G.Jesus is misfiring again and Firmino comes on and has problems finishing!! Oh and we have to worry about Neymar's silly ass getting yellow carded and missing the QF's!! Cause yellows aren't wiped clean after the 1st round anymore, I think at the QF's!!
In retrospect, would've been nice to play Germany or Sweden with that weather. I think Mexico will be able to handle it. Me on the other hand? I'll need 5 cold beers haha.
That game was in Miami!! And I wont forget the date either....April 30th 1997, I remember getting into an argument with my family cause they wanted to watch the episode of Ellen when she 'came out' and I wanted to see the game!! Luckily I won out and my Grandmother chose the game over Ellen when she said God rest her soul...."I don't need to see that shit, cause even Ray Charles know that bitch is gay!!"
After the group phase, some of my conclusions: 1) Fagner IS! the right back and I'm pleasantly surprised by his performances; 2) Neymar needs to step it up and I think he will, starting against Mexico; 3) Willian had his best game against Serbia but if D. Costa recovers, then he should start; 4) I have faith in G Jesus, he hasn't played that badly and he set up Coutinho's winner against Costa Rica; 5) the defense is f*cking great; 6) Casemiro is a monster, the difference maker, the best #5 in world football and he has a yellow card so he must be super careful because without him Brazil is not as good (I do not trust Fernandinho); 7) Coutinho was the leader of the group phase, and I'm glad because he seems smart and knows what to do; 8) I don't like Brazil playing Mexico but it's better than an "upwardly mobile" Germany, if you know what I mean; 9) Brazil has a tough road to the Final but so does everyone else, so f*ck it; 10) Lets Go Brazil!!!!
Danilo is training normally and should be available on Monday. DC is starting field exercises including some sprints, so there could be some hope. Marcelo apparently didn't train.
The technique on that Romario volley was goat level (to use postmillennial terminology ). I was amazed when I saw that all those years ago.