I'm very nervous. This is a tough match. It's been difficult to get past Mexico's defense and in the very rare occasions when we do, there is Uchoa, who is in great form. We'll need one of those great goals from outside the box, helped by a bit of a deflection. The good thing is that Mexico's initial dangerous surge seems to have fizzled. We should be able to win this if we score first. But it will difficult, like it always is with Mexico.
A good summary of the first half. But we have Firmino on the bench and Marcelo as well. I'm also thinking that barring a desperate situation either today or in a later match, we're not going to see Taison play. Now, if he does and scores a game winner... Essa Copa é do Taison!
We are all seeing the same thing. Also, Selecao attack is too predictable. Both Neymar and Willian's moves look to be on a video tape loop. I would love to see Neymar and Willian change flanks for a spell, but Fagner would lose Willian's hard work tracking back and putting in tackles. At a minimum Neymar and Jesus should consider changing as Jesus has played wide in his career.
What chance did Mexico create ? Nothing really and they expanded all their energy. Last 15 minutes Brazil starting playing down the middle through them.
We will likely see Firmino to add offensive volume. Mexico is insisting by the flanks, and as such, at least as of now, there is no need to congest the midfield. If anything, Casemiro and Paulinho have not caught much of our attention precisely because of how Mexico is playing - Osorio knows our midfielders are superior and to try to go through them would only help Brazil.
That's my point , they made a few good runs against fagner and playing long balls early in the first half. You can't run like that 90 minutes then fagner calmed down. How is old man Rafa marques going to hold up in that middle ? He was wavering
The English language play-by-play guy did say Tite expressed he had a plan B. Then again, he also said "Brazil haven't scored a set piece goal since..........the last group game against Serbia."
Marquez off for Layun, the right call. Clearly the last 10minutes of the first half Marquez's legs were gone. Mexico were struggling to control midfield and something needed to change. Looked pretty decent for the opening 30minutes though.
Neymar has now officially surpassed Messi in the 2018 Cup, with a second goal while Messi only had one. Prá frente Brasil!!!