Brazil through to quarter finals after Neymar-inspired second half sees off Mexico
Brazil are through to the World Cup quarter finals after two second half goals steered them past Mexico.
The five-time champions won the last 16 clash in stifling heat as Neymar scored one and made another for substitute Roberto Firmino.
AS IT HAPPENED: Brazil v Mexico, last 16
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Brazil, the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy, will now face Belgium in their seventh consecutive World Cup quarter final.
The only blemish for the five-time champions was the second-half booking for Casemiro, which rules him out of their next match.
The South Americans had to overcome a slow start, as Mexico pressed with similar intensity which helped them beat Germany in the group stages.
Both sides also had to contend with soaring temperatures in Samara, as the mercury topped 38C in western Russia.
Neymar cut an isolated figure during Brazil’s disjointed start, but he exploded into life after 25 minutes, racing past Edson Alvarez in the area and forcing Ochoa into a smart save with his left hand.
Buoyed by that sorely-needed injection of dynamism, Tite’s men then carved out two quick-fire chances. First, Jesus scuffed his close-range volley wide, and then Coutinho flashed an effort well over from 20 yards out.
Jesus went close again in the 33rd minute, finding space in a crowded area and drilling in a left-footed strike that Ochoa palmed away.
But after soaking up Mexican pressure in a goalless first half, Brazil’s talisman put them in front.
Chelsea’s Willian drilled a left footed cross across the area, and Neymar slid in to convert his 57th international goal.
With Brazil going on to assert their authority in the second half, they created further chances through Willian, Paulinho and Gabriel Jesus.
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Paulinho should have doubled their advantage in the 59th minute, but Ochoa was equal to his whipped strike from 12 yards, while the over-worked goalkeeper also tipped over Willian’s powerful effort four minutes later.
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It was the world’s most expensive player, however, who helped put the tie to bed when he was given space in the 88th minute.
Neymar crossed low for Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino to tap home, sealing Mexico’s fate after an impressive showing in the group stages.
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