'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Brazil was convincing in their victory after a rather subdued start to the game in which they struggled to grab a decent hold over the proceedings.
However, once they settled in, Mexico could only muster a few chances by breaking on the counter. Otherwise, it was a typically dominant performance in the second half by Brazil as they displayed cohesion, flair and their characteristic fluidity in their attacking endeavors.
Neymar led from the front, scoring once and assisting Roberto Firmino’s goal too, and was a constant threat in and around the opposition box.
Mexico looked promising at times, but could not maintain possession for a longer stretch of play and often refrained from capitalizing on their chances. Here, I decipher three reasons why Mexico had to suffer a loss, and eventually bow out of the tournament today.
#1 Inability to continue with the high press
As said earlier, Mexico started the game brightly and forced Brazil into losing possession at important occasions.
Their energetic midfield display meant that they recovered the ball quicker and transitioned the play into counter-attacks almost instantly. This pegged Brazil back and forced them to defend deep.
During this period, Brazil had no link between the backline and the attack and Mexico often found them on the move.
This was courtesy of Brazil’s tendency to succumb to the press and the cracks in their opposition’s backline were well detected by the Mexican players.
However, Brazil were quick to react and slowed the tempo of the game to negate the press. Mexico fell into this trap and eventually dropped their shoulders too.
This meant that the energy and intensity dropped for a while, with both teams playing at an average pace.
However, with the talent of the superstars that Brazil have at their disposal, it was always going to take a couple of moments for the course of the game to change completely.
Neymar’s brilliant run and the cutback to Willian, which was then finished by Neymar from inside the box.
From there on, or even before that, Mexico’s game plan had changed drastically from their initial approach, as they did not look to press the opponents with tenacity.
#2 Leaving spaces in the midfield
Tite is actually a coach who builds his team around a counter-attacking approach. He defends with a high-line, but whenever the team is forced back, two or three players on the edge always try to break on the counter.
This is exactly the same tactic that Mexico used to dismantle Germany a few weeks ago. In that game, Mexico had overrun the German midfield, making Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos look non-existent on the field.
Today, Brazil started cautiously, slowed the tempo but often took on Mexico through a devastating counter-attack.
This was mainly because Mexico’s midfielders were often caught off-position, wandering in the other half, when they were expected to track back and thwart the danger.
Despite playing a three-man central midfield with Raphael Marquez at the centre, Mexico were certainly disappointing while defending these quick attacks, as Marquez was way too slow to react to such quick situations.
Neymar dragged them out of their positions and then slid in simple balls for Philippe Coutinho as the FC Barcelona midfielder managed to get into good positions due to the space afforded to him by the Mexicans in the centre of the park.
Paulinho was allowed to drive the team ahead without any notable challenge coming against him, certainly showing that the midfielders were far off from their positions
#3 Lack of cohesion in the final third
Mexico’s attacking trio of Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, and Hirving Lozano have threatened the team with their excellent counter-attacking prowess. However, one thing that has remained a bit constant with their approach has been their inability to strike the right chords in the final third.
Despite finding them on the break usually, Mexico failed to capitalize the chances, blowing away these opportunities through some nervy finishing.
Vela delivered some good diagonal balls, but the team as a unit failed to maintain composure whenever they proceeded to the final third.
Their inability to find the appropriate passes and the usual hurried tendency to take a long shot from distance meant that the team messed up whenever they managed to strike fear in the opposition camp.
Stats do not lie in this matter either, as Mexico attempted 14 shots, but only one of them was targeted on the goal.
They failed to force saves off Allison, despite having troubled the backline with some good pace and precision by hitting them on the break.
Mexico should have kept their calm while attacking, but always looked a bit too rushed to get the ball at the back of the net. This did not help their case as promising attacking moves were broken and lots of chances were wasted in this process.
What did you think about Brazil's performance against Mexico? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!
