FIFA World Cup 2014, Highlights: Guillermo Ochoa Holds Neymar and Co. to a Goalless Draw
Brazil were held to a goalless draw by Mexico in their Group A clash with both teams in with a chance to top the group.
- Somak Adhikari
- Updated: June 18, 2014 02:38 AM IST
Brazil drew with Mexico in Fortaleza. Catch all the highlights of the match here (Matchcentre):
02:20 (IST): The final whistle is blown! So it's a goalless draw as both teams get a point each. Ochoa clearly the hero for Mexico as without him it could have been a swarm of goals from Brazil. A well contested match as Mexico pushed Brazil to the limit on the field.
02:18 (IST): Cesar having to make his first save in stoppage time and does a good job to keep the ball out.
02:14 (IST): Ochoa has been simply brilliant. What was certain to be a Brazilian goal in the 86th minute is blocked by him with relative ease.
2:02 (IST): Brazil failing to finish well yet again as a 76th minute shot is too wide for the keeper to even bother to intercept.
1:57 (IST): Seventy minutes have been played and Mexico need to thank their keeper for keeping the score as it is. It could have easily been Brazil 3 Mexico 0.
01:53 (IST): Miguel Layun sends a beautiful cross into the penalty area in the 67th minute. Brazil's defence manages to clear the ball to safety.
01:51 (IST): Both teams making big efforts to find the back of the net but the lack of proper finishing is proving to be the downfall everytime.
01:45 (IST): Cesar almost tested in the 57th minute but the shot sails over the bar. The Mexican fans start to grow vocal as they sense their team is in the zone.
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01:42 (IST): It seems a clear strategy by Mexico to test Cesar with long range efforts, but they have been shooting too high or too wide. The Brazilian keeper hardly breaking a sweat.
01:36 (IST): A good clearance by Rodriguez in the 46th minute to prevent a Neymar header. This is the fourth encounter between Brazil and Mexico in the finals, Brazil having won the previous 3.
01:32 (IST): The second half is underway. Both teams will be looking to get on the scoresheet early and that is sure to provide some entertainment.
01:29 (IST): Brazil and Germany have the most final appearances in the World Cup, both have played seven.
01:21 (IST): Brazil have 55 per cent possession and it is all set up for an exciting second half.
01:16 (IST): So that is the end of the first half. Two superb saves by Ochoa ensure that Brail fail to take the lead.
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01:15 (IST): Dani Alves commits a needless foul wide left in the 41st minute. The free-kick is headed out to Miguel Layun who fires his right-foot strike over the crossbar. At the other end Marcelo's low effort is harmlessly wide of the far post.
01:11 (IST): Neymar displaying his skill and proving why he is the most dangerous in the Brazilian team.
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01:05 (IST): Giovani Dos Santos drops his shoulder and flies past David Luiz in the 34th minute before his defensive team-mate and skipper Thiago Silva comes across and whacks the ball to safety.
00:59 (IST): Replays show how close the ball was to crossing the line which makes Ochoa's save all the more special.
00:58 (IST): That was a brilliant piece of goalkeeping by Guillermo Ochoa who dives superbly to block a header by Neymar from around the penalty spot. Neymar's effort was directed straight towards the left post, but the keeper pulls off a remarkable save!
00:55 (IST): Fred is caught standing in an offside position in the 22nd minute at the far post. Another good decision from the linesman. Miguel Layun is writhing around the pitch in pain after taking a knock in his back. Moments later, Fred is caught hanging offside again - that's three times in a row now!
00:51 (IST): Neymar shows great skill in the 19th minute before being tackled by Francisco Rodriguez. The atmosphere picks up once again as the ball is lifted into the area but the wing-back Paul Aguilar hammers the ball out of play. Luiz Gustavo rifles his effort high over the crossbar.
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00:48 (IST): A delightful through ball in the 14th minute finds Oscar and his cross is turned into the side netting by Fred. Even if the ball had gone into the back of the net, it would have been disallowed because the offside flag was up on the near side.
00:40 (IST): Mexico have played all World Cups since 1994.
00:39 (IST): Some feisty early challenges from both teams here in the 6th minute! Jose Vazquez went in with a tough challenge on Neymar and then the Mexicans win an early corner from a deep cross from the right. Andres Guardado is unable to get the ball in and then he gifts possession back to the Brazilians. The atmosphere is something very special, but it's Miguel Herrera's side who have made the more positive start.
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00:37 (IST): Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari continues with a 4-2-3-1 system with Neymar, Oscar and Ramires supporting striker Fred. The Mexicans, who have only beaten South American opponents once in the World Cup, in 2002, when they overcame Ecuador 2-1 in the group stages. The Central American side play wing backs in a 5-3-2 formation.
00:33 (IST): Mexico have won 7 out of their last 13 games against Brazil. Their last win on Brazilian soil came in 1968.
00:31 (IST): So the action begins! The fans very vocal behind their teams as Brazil kick off.
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00:24 (IST): The national anthems of bouth teams being played and the supporters voice their support as they too join in the singing. A buzz around the stadium as the crowd erupts at the prospect of a great contest.
00:17 (IST): Brazil have failed to make it past the quarters in the last two editions. Mexico made it to the round of 16 in the 2010 edition. Mexico's best performances came in 1970 and 1986 when they made it to the quarterfinals. Incidentally, both the World Cups were staged on Mexican soil.
00:12 (IST): Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0 in the Confederations Cup in 2013. While the hosts are the favourites, Mexico have proven in the past that they are no mere pushovers.
00:06 (IST): Brazil will be eager to avenge their loss to Mexico in the final of the 2012 Olympics. News just in that will miss the after failing to shake off a hamstring injury suffered in training.
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File photos of Mexicos forward Javier Hernandez (L) and Brazils forward Neymar.