Overview
Brazil are a side highly motivated by righting the wrongs of four years ago. Although that infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany on home turf at the 2014 World Cup occurred at the semi-final stage, it has been a driving factor since qualification for this tournament began three years ago. Neymar missed that game through injury and has yet to fire at this World Cup, with one goal from 16 attempts in Russia. The stage could be set for a new chapter to begin. After looking rusty Brazil’s first match against Switzerland, Neymar looks to have picked up a bit of form and is beginning to look like the silky dangerous former self.
The biggest concern for Mexico is that history suggests it doesn’t really matter who they play at this stage of a World Cup. If they lose it will be the seventh successive tournament in which they have gone out in the last 16. The Mexicans won their first two group games before losing heavily to Sweden.
Match Facts
- Brazil have never lost a World Cup game against opponents from central or north America.
- Their last six defeats at World Cup finals have been to European sides. The last non-European side to beat Brazil at the tournament were Argentina in 1990, who won a last 16 tie thanks to a Claudio Caniggia goal.
- That defeat in 1990 was also the last time Brazil failed to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
- They have kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight games (W6, D2).
Mexico
- Mexico’s only previous World Cup win against South American opposition was their 2-0 victory against Ecuador in the group stage in 2002.
- Defeat would see Mexico eliminated in the last 16 for a seventh consecutive World Cup.
- They last reached the quarter-finals as hosts in 1986, beating Bulgaria 2-0 in the last 16 before bowing out to West Germany.
- This will be Mexico’s 57th World Cup game – more than any other side who have never won the tournament.
- Javier Hernandez has only had one shot on target in 270 minutes at this year’s World Cup, although he did score from it, against South Korea.
Team News- Brazil
Felipe Luis is expected to start in place of Marcelo after Marcelo was forced off against Serbia because of a back spasm. Fagner is expected to keep his place after some fine performances in place of Danilo, who has successfully recovered from the thigh problem that ruled him out against Serbia.
Team News-Mexico
Mexico are without key centre-back Hector Moreno, who is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards. He could be replaced by Hugo Ayala, who has not featured since starting the win against Germany.
Head to head
Brazil are unbeaten in their four previous World Cup games against Mexico (W3, D1), keeping clean sheets in all four of those matches. The most recent World Cup encounter was a group game in 2014 which ended 0-0.The sides have met once since then, with Brazil winning 2-0 in a friendly in Sao Paulo in June 2015 courtesy of goals from Philippe Coutinho and Diego Tardelli.
Probable Line ups
Betting Tips
Despite the first knockout matches throwing in a few surprises, Mexico are unlikely to stop Brazil’s surge. It should be a straightforward Brazilian win.