18/06/2014 Match of the Day

Hello and welcome to Fortaleza. We see Brazil take on Mexico.

Scolari's team beat Mexico 2-0 last year. Your match commentators are

Stuart Pearce and Mark Lawrenson. MEXICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM:

?Himno Nacional Mexicano? # Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el

acero aprestad y el bridon # Y retiemble en sus centros la

Tierra, al sonoro rugir del canon # Y retiemble en sus centros la

Tierra al sonoro rugir del canon # Cina, oh Patria, tus sienes de

oliva de la paz el arcangel divino # que en el cielo tu eterno destino

por el dedo de Dios se escribio # Mas si osare un extrano enemigo

profanar con su planta tu suelo # que el cieloun soldado en

cada hijo te dio # Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el

acero aprestad y el bridon # Y retiemble en sus

centros la Tierra, al sonoro rugir # Y retiemble en sus centros la

Tierra al sonoro rugir del canon. # Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el

acero aprestad y el bridon # Y retiemble en sus centros la

Tierra, al sonoro rugir del canon. # # Mexicanos, al grito de guerra el

acero aprestad y el bridon # Y retiemble en sus centros la

Tierra, al sonoro rugir del canon. # You can see little patches of red

and green, the Mexican supporters. They arrived on a giant cruise ship

yesterday and on chartered planes. Now for the Brazilian anthem.

BRAZILIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro".

# Ouviram do Ipiranga as margens placidas

# De um povo heroico o brado retumbante

# E o sol da Liberdade, em raios fulgidos

# Brilhou no ceu da Patria nesse instante

# Se o penhor dessa igualdade Conseguimos

# Desafia o nosso peito a propria morte

# Salve! Salve! Brasil, um sonho intenso

# Um raio vivido, De amor e de esperanca a terra

# Se em teu formoso ceu, risonho e limpido

# A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece Gigante pela propria natureza

# Es belo, es forte, impavido colosso

# E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza

# Dos filhos deste solo Es mae gentil

One of those moments in life that will stay with you forever.

Brazil have been talking about the controversies of

They know they have to improve their passing accuracy, not one of

No change to the defence would have conceded twice in 12 games.

The one change, they have been talking openly about it, Hulk has

They let their training sessions be filmed live when Ramires came in.

He will be more defensive, Alan Shearer said, with Brazil wary

At times it might look more like a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1.

The official line-up as Ramires wide on the right-hand side.

He may stay there to check on Layun and let Dani Alves bomb forwards

The first Turkish referee at the World Cup final since 1974.

Thiago Silva saying that it is better for Brazil to play

He is from Rio de Janeiro himself, and he says

And Rafa Marquez, his 14th match at the World Cup finals.

It is an unchanged side announced by the coach on Twitter yesterday.

Still no place for Chicharito of Manchester United.

Giovani dos Santos, once of Tottenham, is preferred.

He was wrongly denied against Cameroon because

Peralta, nine goals in his last seven competitive internationals.

And it was his goals that sunk Brazil

It is the only trophy they have not won and they want revenge today.

Nobody has beaten Brazil as often as Mexico in the 21st century.

Scolari has been trying to play down the national fervour, saying

They got here through a play-off against New Zealand.

They showed flair and panache against a stubborn Cameroon side.

Amongst the Brazilian subs, do not be surprised to see Bernard

or Hernanes to come on to freshen up the midfield.

Chicharito came on against Cameroon, also the old full-back, Salcido.

It just looks a little bit threadbare in patches, the pitch.

Brazil will get us under way, in the yellow and blue,

New hair dye, for Dani Alves, for these World Cup finals.

An early bustle forward from Ramires,

I am still getting over the singing of the national anthem, Jonathan.

It was an amazing moment, absolutely fantastic.

Not only are Mexico playing against 11 players at the moment but

We saw been dumped to the floor early on in the final warm

That was no-nonsense from Vazquez, the little midfield terrier.

What do you think the manager said to him before he went out?

He has shown great passion when he has sung the anthem

Ramires has started wide on the right hand side.

No free kick given for that challenge by Gustavo.

Lots of Premier League clubs watching the Espanyol defender play.

Vazquez got through so much work in the first game, and Guardado,

the veteran, got forward well in the first half.

Brazil have suffered just one first round defeat since 1970.

That was in France, 1998, after they had already qualified.

Mexico, looking for their first win on Brazilian soil.

Good concentration levels at the back by Thiago Silva

He is making the point to the other defenders, as well,

There was no Mexico player anywhere near him.

He did not get a call so he made sure it was out of harm's way.

Mexico with a corner, pulled back short and back to Guardado.

Gustavo and Paulinho, the preferred defensive midfield pair,

He virtually unveiled his World Cup line-up at the Confederations Cup.

Ramires was a part of the Confederations Cup squad

Marquez, the first man to captain his country

Oscar, the star of the opening win for Brazil.

Stretching into the challenge, and it will not be long before the

Scolari is in the technical area, saying the same thing.

Some great runs that he made from the attacking wingback position

in the last game, touched the ball 50 times.

Hector Herrera, up in support, but just held on too long.

He is not renowned for his tracking back or tackling.

He took the Confederations Cup by the scruff of its neck.

He played well at the Olympics, as well.

Some people still doubt Neymar, but 33 goals in 50 internationals is

Neymar was almost dispossessed by his own player.

Some questions about Marcelo before the Confederations Cup.

It feels like we have had more tackles than passing, so far.

When he sees a gap, he just goes for it, doesn't he?

24 goals in his last 29 internationals.

He has scored from this kind of range, and so has David Luiz,

He's scored against Panama in one of the World Cup warm-up games.

They have topped their group in every World Cup since 1982.

They can't qualify for the second round with a victory tonight.

But they will almost certainly be through.

Dani Alves with his 77th appearance for his country.

Slowing the pace down, and there are derogatory whistles

The city has been full of joy in the last 24 hours,

And the Brazilians are great as well in terms of the players.

Oscar almost has his toes on the line and Dani Alves, on the right,

The switch of play just beats him, though.

They could qualify for the second round

But the fans will settle for no less than triumph in the final.

Five of the Brazilians playing tonight played in the Olympic final,

Oscar says the Mexicans always give them a tough time.

David Luiz is going to Paris Saint Germain for, what is it,

a ?70 million defensive centre-back pairing?

Rippling the outside of the side netting.

It was a great ball through to Oscar.

He looked as well, straightaway, Fred.

Friendly rivalry in the streets of Fortaleza,

Yes, they were up and down the seafront this morning, at 5:30am.

All the locals had something representing Brazil on.

Flags everywhere, narrow streets, tumbledown in places,

Brazilian shirts, Brazilian flags all over the place.

I think you are being kind with tumbledown.

Well, it is a country with many problems,

20 murders in the city committed between Friday and Sunday.

What is interesting with Mexico is that they have still left

They are banking on the two banks of four pinching the ball.

They can cause problems if the two get the service.

This was part of the expected tactic.

Alves has called Guardado, going in late.

He is frustrated he did not get the run when he came in from the right.

We have probably had about four of these tackles already.

And the referee has done the squarish of nothing so far.

If Ramires occupies Miguel Layun, Alves will have room to go forward.

He was a mile from the ball but Guardado makes a meal of it.

Mexico announced their tactics quite publicly, again, to cover Neymar,

two against one, be fast, refuse in space, don't let him play.

But he is on the ball now, towards Fred who could not get

But in the end, it bounced off Paulinho and away.

That was a really good tackle on Fred, in the midst of that.

Paulinho does not really expect the ball.

It caught him flush, didn't it, in the face.

What a player he has been over the years, Rafa Marquez.

Another challenge leaves Oscar looking at the referee.

Record number of opening phase goals.

Record equalling, actually, but one game still to play, though.

That is later on this evening, Russia against South Korea.

Generally playing in the Hulk position, Ramires.

The Mexicans have countered the fact that Ramires and Dani Alves and then

Guardado coming in quickly to help Layun down the left-hand side.

Mexico is obsessed with getting into the quarterfinals, have reached the

And there is a fair few Brazilians joining in as well.

Did not really get a go at Tottenham, did he?

We saw him playing at Real Mallorca, he's quite a few goals.

Scored his 100th senior goal in his 20th year, a remarkable player.

If you watch this, it is great ability.

You cannot escape him in Brazil, every poster has a picture

Seems to be endorsing scores of products.

Every time you turn your telly on, he is there, isn't he?

Might well have been sent off in the opening game.

The clearance is misplaced by the right full-back.

The right wingback, as they play in this system.

He was brought back for the play-offs

Probably why he only has the one international goal.

Not had a save to make, has he, Ochoa?

Milan and Marseille have been mentioned.

He was once a World Cup manager with Portugal in 2006.

The referee?s assistant again, just pulling away at the far stick,

They love their Brazilian national side.

Stronger up here in the north-east and in other parts of the country.

That is what the squad have been saying.

Just got a little snapshot there of the coach, Miguel Herrera.

He played for Mexico, nearly made the 1994 World Cup squad.

He was dropped for punching a photographer in a league game.

That was the challenge that left Layun down.

Yes, you have noticed, he immediately came out to take

He has been a feature of the Mexico play so far.

Whenever they have been blocked going forwards, Marquez,

at 35 years of age has been prepared to do the running and bring it out.

That is a lovely ball but he is offside again.

So many major trophies won at Barcelona.

A decent spell of possession here for Mexico.

His last two touches have not been great, have they.

Giovani dos Santos going for the return.

A good tackle on him initially by Thiago Silva.

If he went down he might have got a penalty.

They might want to get the ball out of play here.

The referee is coming to have a look.

It is Neymar's hands that you can see.

There was a chance to go over there, and...

Daniel Sturridge has just been on Twitter, he says he is still

He says that he loves his job, the England striker.

He says he is playing, does that mean he is playing on Thursday?

Or just that he is playing in the World Cup?

Well, he is not a manager to keep quiet

The referees assistant, he is not having any of it.

He looked at the assistant all the way through.

The referee took a long look at his assistant Tom and I wonder...

They thought they should have had a corner.

The referee was in a better position to make the decision anyway.

Well, there certainly is some noise in here.

Can you imagine the noise if this game actually does take

Switching off there, Brazil, momentarily.

Oscar's header will drop towards Herrera.

There is a bit of a mix-up between the two.

That is the closest we have come so far.

A marvellous cross, and a great leap from Neymar.

Did not stick with him, leaving his foot in on Thiago Silva.

The referee had acknowledged that, but waving play on.

Yes, he says that shot on goal by Mexico,

A lot of ground to make up, the goalkeeper.

Not the biggest at five foot 11, but he got there.

You know, before, I thought that Paulinho should have done better.

He has got the nod ahead of Jose Corona.

They say he is a better shot stopper, according to his manager.

Dani Alves again, looking to switch it.

Brazilian full-backs always play like wingbacks, anyway.

Went so quickly. The referees assistant did not

You will get the timing of the runs right soon.

Lost a lot of football season with hamstring trouble.

It was Fred's controversial winning of the penalty against Croatia.

At the moment they need something to break down Mexico.

He was blamed for a couple of defeats in the qualifying campaign.

Winning his seventh cap, but he looks

like he has been playing for a long time, very composed and competitive

Guardado back with him and he checked him.

Does anybody in the game think that that is necessary for that?

We spoke to one of the officials today about it

and it is not compulsory to show those goal-line technology shots.

That is after the terrible mix-up in the ground the other day,

It is up to the individual match director.

After years of not wanting it, it is as though they have paid

for it and they are going to keep showing it all the time now.

It got wrong the other night, they showed goal, no goal, goal.

Brazil seem quite happy for Vazquez to have the ball

Scolari has shown a lot of faith in Luiz Gustavo because he has

But it is deemed that Scolari has calmed him down and he has

Dani Alves, trying to get it back to Ramires.

He has done a good job for Brazil on the right-hand side.

Dos Santos dropped his shoulder to take David Luiz out of the game.

Not for the first time, and I'd say, not for the last,

There was no reason for David Luiz to gamble,

Silva cost ?37 million, and David Luiz, ?40 million.

Moreno, expected to be the subject of a big

Don't forget, tonight on BBC One at 10:40pm,

it is Russia against South Korea, as they kick off their campaigns.

And tomorrow, Spain against Chile at 7:30pm.

Spain really need to win otherwise they could be facing elimination.

Marcelo and Brazil can kick up through the gears.

Neymar, making the run to open up the gap.

You can see, with his head down, he had no intention of looking

We have seen big wins, big wins for big sides but also lots of comeback

It was eminently forgettable, after all.

Tidied up effectively by Moreno, who is 26.

He won the under-17 World Cup with Mexico, back in 2005.

It is Brazil's first corner, after 34 minutes.

Fred is up and David Luiz is up from the back.

Lots of bumping and barging going on, there.

We have seen lots of those in the competition already.

They have not been greatly accurate with the final ball in

Just one in five crosses hitting its mark in the opening game.

The Mexican coach will be quite pleased with what he has seen so

Brazil have had better possession of the ball so far.

Peralta is on the edge of the box and Dos Santos is

We are 258 miles from the equator, here.

And the heat is rising in the stadium.

It is a commanding header away by Silva.

The second one he has had and the same result.

Yes, the shots have been from distance so far.

A couple for Mexico, from Layun, the left wingback, in

Oscar is down the right at the moment.

Ramires has gone inside left, sort of.

Dos Santos was behind David Luiz, and he defended well.

Again, full-back looking for full-back.

Oh, that is a brilliant ball from Thiago Silva to Marcelo.

Meanwhile, Neymar was tumbling on the edge of the area.

The shot went wide and Neymar is looking to the assistant referee.

I don't think the referee did, either.

Is that Luiz Gustavo that has gone down?

He caught him on the side of the head, I think.

He is very important, started 14 of the last 15 games.

Radio Five have England against Uruguay on Thursday, live at 8pm.

When Miguel Layun took over, he just had the job of getting

He is known for attacking sides, if not title winning club teams.

There was a little bet between the respective FAs to see which country

arrived at the game with the most Twitter followers this morning.

The loser was going to donate a team jersey to the charity

Going into yesterday tea-time, Mexico had more followers.

Hasn't Mexico got 120 million people in the population?

I mean, Brazil have got even more, but you can imagine the Mexicans

They have 1.6 million followers on Twitter.

They are on the attack, looking for Layun with the diagonal.

The ball has moved curiously at times.

That Andrea Pirlo strike against England wobbled

If you were a Brazilian supporter, would you be worried that

the goalkeeper has played such little club football?

I think with goalkeepers, you can train them like a dog, can't you?

It would not be a great problem, I would have thought.

I would be more worried about Brazil.

There is no flowing football at all, really.

Luiz Gustavo, beyond the challenge of Dos Santos.

The Mexican coach is absolutely rampant on the touchline.

They won here against Mexico, a year ago this week, 2-0,

This is about as far out as the David Luiz attempt.

The goalkeeper spread itself and I think it just hit him.

A big chance for Brazil because the flag stayed down.

A big chance and a big save, actually.

Looking back, there might have been three Brazilians, waiting to pounce.

Defensively, Mexico got that horribly wrong.

One of the moments when Rafa Marquez steps out of defence to join in.

I think it was better when Ramires was on the right,

There is no great flow about Brazil at all.

Giovani dos Santos is in there as well.

It is aimed to the back post, but all the way through.

One minute of stoppage time has just been announced.

It was a great chest from Thiago Silva.

Guardado had gone out to the right-hand side.

I think he will be at them at half-time to try to make them to

The final game against Croatia, it would be a good result here

But walking off at half-time, at Fortaleza, it is 0-0.

Bernard has come to the right-hand side straightaway, for Ramires.

Interesting to read your texts and e-mails. Mexico are going to win

this Game 2-0, apparently. I think they are going back to

the original plan, with Neymar just on the left-hand side,

where he seems to get more joy. Paulinho had made a run and

so had Bernard. This is the hard-working

Victor Herrera. He is 35 and he was

the man looking to get beyond. His 14th game in the World Cup

finals. He was recalled for the play-offs,

to get them through against New Zealand,

after 17 months out of the side. It just shows, you don't need

tattoos to be a good footballer. We have seen some great scenes

in the terraces on this World Cup. The early noise and anticipation

has just dissipated. He wants more protection

for his star man. I think he is making the point that

the only booking was for Ramires. His players were not innocent,

were they? When they won the game

against Honduras earlier this A lovely ball to Bernard,

across the face of goal and Neymar! Just headed away for the corner

by Rodriguez, And Neymar just can't get

in there quickly enough. He just can't quite get there,

Neymar. I think it was so quick

down the right, it caught He settled on it

but his shot was well wide. I'm not sure if it was a shot or

a cross or in something in-between. The substitutes are warming up,

including the veteran, Maicon. When the ball came in from Bernard,

did you notice Fred was nowhere to There was no way he

was getting there. Thiago Silva on the shoulder of

Dos Santos. They have definitely tucked Oscar

back inside, Very similar to the way they played

against Croatia, now, isn't it? Brazil have won

the three previous World Cup They are under pressure here,

of their own doing. They passed the ball very

accurately in their first game. They have had one game in World Cup

finals against South American sides, Mexico are playing the ball more

quickly than Brazil at the moment. The plan is for Guardado to

give Mexico 65, 70 minutes. The defender was

on him straightaway, as soon The one outstanding moment is still

the save from Ochoa, The outstanding moment,

the touch off by Thiago Silva in Marcelo, quickly on to it but he was

caught after the ball had gone. Aguilar said he was diving

and the referee agreed. Has not really been in the

game and David Luiz gobbling it up. Easily dealt with by Luiz Gustavo

in the end. Yes, the deflection, he put

a bit more pace and height on it. And a lofted clearance by Paulinho,

towards Neymar. Just stand off him, make him

try to do something with the ball. He can go quiet in games, and then

suddenly explode into action. They are starting to creep

into the game now, Mexico. No great closing down as well,

is there? They just squeezed

into the play-offs, Mexico, because The USA scored in the 93rd minute,

didn't they? The Mexican TV commentary,

absolutely blasting Mexico, and But this is

an accomplished performance against Only Uruguay qualified

for these finals... He has been preparing for years

that is, given his second chance. It is deflected

and mopped up gently. That is what he is good at,

Dos Santos, cutting in from Still that lack of urgency

from Brazil. He scored two goals

in the three warm up games, and those performances got him in the

starting line-up against Hernandez. But I don't think it will be

long before we see Chicharito. Aguilar, a touch to him

from a good player, Herrera. Yes, shoot on sight,

and getting closer. Concern on the face of the Brazilian

goalkeeper. Someone on the World Cup debate

on the website says, "If we keep Another says that Dani Alves?

hair is not bringing any luck. They need to get hold of the ball

in midfield. That three,

Luiz Gustavo and also Oscar. They cannot get hold of the ball,

Jonathan. This is where he has been

the most effective for Brazil. A little bit too slow to

do anything with it. Just a few boos as well

around the stadium, did I hear? One goal will change

the atmosphere of the whole nation. They have got time and space

as well. Now you are hearing a bit

of shouting from the home fans. Not happy they are not closing

down the Mexican players. Well, that move

from the halfway line, not really Approaching the hour and that is

the fifth effort they have had Fortunately, at the moment,

most of them are not on target If you look at the alternatives

on the Brazilian bench, Jo, the former Manchester City and

Everton man, he came from nowhere to A little bit of a late challenge

there from Luiz Gustavo. No great movement or awareness

from Peralta to get up there into Nobody was prepared to bust

a gut to get in there. It is going to be a yellow card

for Vasquez. Do you think the referee might have

had a half-time instruction Could this be the moment that Neymar

sends Brazil into a frenzy? Always aware on the edge

of the box just in case it comes It was bending, it was fizzing,

but it was wide. It was just a dive in case,

wasn't it? A flamboyant goalkeeper,

plays in French football, Ochoa. Oscar has gone out to

the right-hand side. Marcelo is the only one really

in the team at the moment that Neymar wanted it back

but he was not going to get it. Marcelo putting the ball

into the box. The offside is called for by Moreno

and it is given. Probably could not see

the challenge, but when Marcelo burst into the box and played that

ball, Fred never moved. In the past 100 games in the

World Cup finals, Brazil, in this tournament, five World Cups

under their belt, two runners-up. They have only failed to make

the last eight four times. They are finding this afternoon

a very frustrating one. The referee just telling Guardado

that I am making the decisions. He brought the playback

because it was a free kick. He has done really well

the referee. The fourth official now having

words with the Mexican coach. Svein Oddvar Moen,

Norwegian, Champions League referee. I think that Jo might be coming on,

you know. That time it was being eroded

by the Mexican centre forward. The captain bringing it away,

and he is fouled. You just get the impression as well

that the Mexicans can sense that That is given away

and Brazil are getting sloppy. Headed away by the diving

Thiago Silva. How quickly did he get past

Dani Alves? At the moment, Brazil's tactic of

trying to stop Layun getting forward Fred is ambling across the face

of the box. The pressure

on Brazil is absolutely huge. From the moment the players wake up,

from the moment that they go to bed, You know what they have said to

Fred, warm up, you are coming! He has had a second coming

as a Brazilian international, Jo. The referee having a word with

David Luiz. I am not sure that did not come

off his chest as well. Great header under pressure,

that was. Now there is an urgency

about Brazil. Well, he has already moved

more than Fred has moved! Came back against France last year

in June, his first international He really has been

in the wilderness. Struggled at Everton and

Manchester City. Just starting to raise the pace,

Brazil. They look like a different team

at the moment. It is as if Jo came on

and passed everybody a message. He scored five

in his last 11 internationals after failing to find the back

of the net in his first seven, Jo. Would not want to get it onto

his right foot, that is the shore. The referee blowing, it looked like

to me in the build-up that there It has come in handy, that body,

hasn't it. Great technique from Neymar,

not necessarily from the goalkeeper but he is keeping them out however

he is keeping them out. You get no marks

for artistic impression here. Well, Mexico are going to send

on Javier Hernandez. He has had a very good tournament

so far. Is this

the moment they have waited for? The problem is, there is always

three centre-backs there, of course. He has not scored a goal in an

international since the 22nd June, against Japan in Beacon Federation

cup in Brazil, last year. He made four starts last season

for Manchester United. His career seems to

have stalled somewhat. This would be

the place to get it going again. They are going to make another

change as well, Mexico. Herrera, by the way,

was caught by Oscar. Guardado, who may be

the man who goes off for Fabian. In the end,

it is deflected to safety. I am not even sure what

Neymar was trying to do. They have not been

defensively secure. It would have been

a hugely famous night for them. Jo has strayed offside but

the flag has stayed down, so no. Mexico, looking at the referee's

assistant, for the offside. They once rated him

better than Chicharito. He was the record under 23

goal-scorer but he has had a bit He was once banned for six months,

from breaking curfew. He is finally living up to

his potential, they say. He has put his partying days

behind him. The Mexican centre halves

have been terrific. You took the words right out

of my mouth. They have been really good,

never really pulled out of position, either,

which is part of Brazil's problem, If they get a sniff

of a half chance, Fabian scored four in five games

as they reached the semifinals The last time Mexico won their

opening two games was in 2002. It is the only time they

have ever done it. In towards Hernandez

but the header just dropped wide. This score would put both sides

on four points. Cameroon against Croatia is

in Manaus, tomorrow. A draw would also be a massive

boost for those two countries. Whoever ends up as winner tomorrow,

if there is one, The defender,

right through the back. No wonder he is screaming at his

defence because he was left in a Marcelo was very lazy with

his tackle. Had he turned and got away,

would that have been deemed Yes, and the thing about the

position of the free kick is that it What does Julio Cesar do with

the wall? And the captain, Marquez,

is there as well. He's just reaching for his pocket,

there we go, It should have a sponsor,

shouldn't it? They have not missed a trick,

have they? Sepp Blatter will be

on the phone tonight. Is he stood behind the wall,

in the middle? But they don't look

particularly hungry to do so. Yes, a complete waste,

in such an advantageous position, A point for Mexico would

be a good result. Had they been more adventurous,

they could have one, Yes, but you are always worried,

aren't you, against Brazil? But they are full value

for the point, so far. I know Spain were very bad

and Holland were very good in that game and Germany were

fantastic yesterday. At the moment, Brazil's performances

are not at that level. No one within ten yards, really,

to support. That is the other thing,

nobody gambling. They have kind

of chopped Neymar up alongside Jo. A couple of headers, Neymar has

just been stood on his heels. Mexico are going to send

on another striker. A bold move against the hosts,

Brazil, with eight minutes to go. And Brazil are going to make

a change as well. Raul Jimenez is coming on

for Mexico. Here comes the first

of the substitutions. Just seeing that brilliant moment

of skill in the first half That was the keeper's saves, one

with his knee, one with his stomach. Jimenez got 18 goals

for his club this season. He scored a brilliant overhead

for his country against Panama Given his first outing, here,

in these World Cup finals. There was no need to give

away that free kick. How crazy is that, this late on,

in a game of this magnitude? Especially when we have seen

so many headers from set pieces. Francisco Rodriguez, the

32-year-old, approaching 100 caps. Should Phil Scolari's side score

what could well be the winner. Thiago Silva is in there and

in towards him! The flag is already raised

on the far side. It certainly was,

just pure reaction. He is going backwards,

falling into the goal. We said the captain was up

and he made the run. Either side of him, of course,

it is a goal. He knew, anywhere but there,

and Brazil had won the game. Terrific reflexes from a goalkeeper,

who has been brilliant. Phil Scolari looks at each World Cup

game as a step They may have stumbled on this step,

to night. Yes, and the big three are up,

aren't they? It is an effort for Guardado,

who is still out there, We climbed all over him.

of the captain. Neymar produced the one really

class chance of the first half. He is still there, he has gone down

but the referee is having none of That was about the same penalty

that he got against Croatia. That is what it was,

he just put his arm on him. I think he was away from him,

and there was a man on the middle Play to the whistle, isn't that

what you tell a seven-year-old? And a lot of people will see that

as justice being done. And suddenly, Brazil, from thinking

that they might have a penalty, are edgy and facing a Mexican

corner with one minute to go. Thiago Silva keeping

his concentration. How many shots have nearly gone

into that same position? Just beat the fingertips

of the goalkeeper and dipped over. Was it in South Africa that we had

a great match between Brazil and Three minutes

of stoppage time to go. It is a splendid save from

Raul Jimenez's drive. It was,

but Hernandez was not far away. Guardado has been terrific

for Mexico It was not a good ball,

two minutes to go, If they are to exorcise

the demons of 1950, Brazil have got And look at this,

who is getting out for the Mexico? Imagine what it must be

like to captain your country in the World Cup finals once,

he has done it four times. Raul Jimenez

could not win it. Four points have been enough

for Mexico in the last couple of World Cups to see them through

to the second round. There is one group game to go.

something special. Scolari knows that he has been

matched in there by Miguel Herrera. Neymar came close

in the first half with a brilliant Play sees Spain taking on Germany.

From us, goodbye.