Brazil is ready to take on the Confederations Cup semifinals as it toppled Mexico, 2-0, Wednesday at the Castelao during its second match. This match may have paved the way for the next step for Brazil, but for Mexico, it could be the end of the line, Goal reported. With Japan almost certain to fall to Italy in Wednesday's later match, Mexico will be shut out of the competition and forced to go home.
Brazil now has six points in two matches in Group A, a favorite to move on to the finals. Brazil set the tone from the get-go as Marcelo got in a good shot on a free kick at the very start of the match, which Mexico's goaltender Jose Corona blocked. In just the ninth minute of play, however, Neymar, the 19-year-old star of Brazil's squad, dashed passed Mexican defenders and sent the ball right into the corner of the net. It was a goal Mexico would not recover from.
Carlos Salcedo attempted to answer the goal not long after with a long-rage kick that went wide. Mexican coach Jose de la Torre attempted to change the lineup again, swapping Javier Aquino and Jose Zavala for Hiram Mier and Gerardo Flores upon entering the match. Lineup changes have been common among Mexico's squad, but thus far nothing has worked, putting the coach's job in jeopardy.
Brazil showed signs of a weak defense as Marcelo gave the ball away 25 minutes into play, but the team quickly recovered its momentum as Neymar attempted to deliver another blow that sailed inches above the crossbar. Mexico came close to making a comeback in the final minutes of the first 45, fumbling on a handful of chances to score. At the start of the final 45, Brazil attacked early just as it did in the previous half, with a header Thiago Silva playing off Neymar's free kick was ruled offside.
The final blow sealing Mexico's fate came in the third minute of extra time as Neymar sliced through two of Mexico's weary defenders straight to Jô who effortlessly landed the ball in Mexico's net.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
