The 32: Why Brazil will only get better the longer the World Cup goes on

After failing to take off the handbrake against Switzerland, Brazil are beginning to prosper at the World Cup.

The Selecao take on Mexico in a tasty round of 16 tie this afternoon, having beaten Costa Rica and Serbia 2-0 in their final two group games to ensure qualification.

Brazil superfan Flavia Flazenda, speaking on Yahoo Sport’s daily World Cup show, The 32, believes that the side were paralysed with fear in the opening game – their first in the tournament since the infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany in 2014.

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Whilst she knows there is room for improvement, she is just pleased to see the shackles released and the side playing with less fear.

“There is room for improvement,” she admitted. “The thing is, the very first game, we came from a huge fall, so they had a lot to prove.

“It felt like we were playing with the handbrake on, because they were so terrified of making mistakes and of being criticised and [people saying] ‘oh that’s coming back again’

“Little by little – baby steps – you can see the team is improving; 1-1, then 2-0, then a much better 2-0 in the last game, so I think we are [going] the right way.

“We have injuries, Marcelo got injured, Douglas Costa was brilliant in the second game but then got injured – but little by little, we are getting there.”